Concerns are growing among fire unions and advocates as Congress fails to secure funding for the healthcare program supporting 9/11 victims. This situation arises despite an earlier agreement aimed at keeping the government operational.
Recent budget negotiations have put at risk the essential funding for the World Trade Center Healthcare Program. This program provides crucial financial assistance to around 125,000 individuals who developed illnesses after exposure to harmful toxins at sites like the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was first enacted in 2010, reauthorized in 2015, and was presumed to be permanently funded through 2090. Now, due to the complexities of budget negotiations, that funding is uncertain.
The repercussions of this funding failure are severe. “Thousands of New York City firefighters and others involved in the cleanup efforts are battling cancer, and with no resolution in sight, those numbers will only continue to climb,” stated James Brosi, President of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, in a press release.
This alarming trend emphasizes the need for reliable funding to take care of those who selflessly put their lives on the line during a national tragedy. Unfortunately, the current congressional negotiations threaten to leave these brave individuals without the necessary support.
With its bipartisan history, the bill’s potential cut is concerning. Advocates and city officials alike are calling for immediate action. Andrew Ansbro, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, emphasized the urgency, saying, “We continue to lose NYC firefighters to 9/11-related illnesses every month, and the need for funds to care for the sick and dying continues. We call on Congress to act and pass the permanent funding for the WTC Healthcare Program.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her frustration with Congress for not meeting its obligations. She remarked, “’Never forget’ isn’t just a phrase in New York. It’s a promise, one that the House GOP broke when they decided to cut health care for 9/11 first responders from the government funding bill. Get back into the Capitol and do your job.”
The voices advocating for these heroes are growing louder. Nicholas Papain, a 9/11 victims advocate, voiced the discontent felt by many regarding the situation. “First responders who have suffered serious and potentially fatal injuries and illnesses due to their exposure at Ground Zero should not have to plead with Congress to secure the medical treatment already promised to them by the federal government,” he stated.
The community’s frustration with Congress seems to intensify as firefighters and their families watch their loved ones suffer. The loss of life due to 9/11-related illnesses continues, and with every passing month, the urgency to secure proper funding becomes increasingly vital.
In response to the ongoing crisis, several unions from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) plan an emergency press conference at the firehouse located at 124 Liberty Street, right next to the World Trade Center.
The funding provided by the WTC Healthcare Program is fundamental not only for the treatment of existing conditions but also for ongoing monitoring and lightening the emotional and financial burden of families still grappling with the aftermath of the catastrophic events of 2001. The everyday reality faced by many first responders and those affected by the attacks is dire; without quick action from Congress, they risk losing the support they have depended on.
As discussions continue in Washington, the message from New York’s firefighters, advocates, and citizens remains clear: action is needed now. The heroes of 9/11 deserve recognized support from the government they so bravely defended, and ensuring their health and well-being should always be a priority for Congress. Ignoring this responsibility does not only undermine a promise made but also dishonors the sacrifices made by countless individuals in service of the nation.
