Thousands of them that fell ill from the toxic fumes emanating from Ground Zero will now continue to receive critical medical care, thanks to the passing of the Zadroga Act in January. Starting last Fri., July 1, money from the $1.5 billion pot of federal funding guaranteed by the bill was sent to the World Trade Center Centers of Excellence — cause for a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Upper Manhattan that day.
The law provides long-term government financing for health research, data collection and medical treatment for tens of thousands of recovery workers, residents and others suffering from asthma, lung disease and mental health problems related to time spent at Ground Zero. Thus far, Mount Sinai alone has monitored and treated more than 20,000 first responders, while the other regional health clinics have provided care to some 16,000 firefighters and 5,400 area workers, residents and other survivors.
Until the law’s passage, funding was granted to the health clinics on an annual basis.
“It’s a great day for all of us in New York. It allows us not to worry year to year, day to day whether we can continue our program,” said Fire Department of New York Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, who lost 343 firemen on 9/11.
“In passing the Zadroga Act, the nation has made a promise to survivors that they no longer worry that government funding will evaporate,” echoed Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “As the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act goes into effect, we are paying back part of a debt that can never be fully repaid and making sure that first responders and those who lived and worked near the disaster site get the care they need and deserve.”
While the law won’t immediately alter the monitoring and treatment of patients, “the steady funding and infrastructure under the Zadroga Act will improve service for 9/11 responders and survivors, help hire more doctors and staff, conduct research on 9/11 health conditions, offer expanded service outside the New York area and allow patients to appeal decisions about health coverage, among many other changes,” said U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who helped secure the bill’s passage.
“The 9/11 Health law is just as much the foundation of New York’s future as the concrete and steel,” said Community Board 1 Vice Chair Catherine McVay Hughes. “After a long struggle, today the law will help both the responders and community members whose health was hurt by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.”
“Whether it was the right way to do it or the wrong way to do it, we got the [the law] passed,” said 9/11 survivor and activist John Feal, who lead the grassroots effort behind the bill in Washington, D.C. and New York. “It sends a great message that we take care of those that served our nation.”
July 1 represented the culmination of nearly ten years of persistent lobbying, according to Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “For so long, we wondered when the federal government would honor its obligations to these heroes of 9/11. Today, we demonstrate concretely, at the site of this incomparable Center of Excellence, that the United States does not forget those who have served.”
Following the talks, officials cut a large, blue ribbon to rejoice the implementation of the law.
