Congress Set to Pass Zadroga Act for 9/11 Mesothelioma Victims

The 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program, which aides those diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, will receive a 75-year extension as part of a $1.1 trillion spending bill expected to be approved by Congress. The program is within the $8.1 billion reauthorization of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act designed to help those injured by the historic terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The reauthorization comes as a relief to thousands of residents and first responders sickened by the toxic air and smoldering debris that lingered for months in New York City after the terrorist attack. "It is permanent health care for the 9/11 community," John Feal, president of FealGood Foundation, a prominent advocacy and lobbying group, told Asbestos.com. "For tens of thousands of people, it's the best present they could possibly get under the Christmas tree this year." The World Trade Center Health Program, originally founded in 2010, officially expired Sept. 30. It continued operating on emergency funds and currently serves approximately 70,000 patients receiving care or monitoring. The passage of the bill, which doesn't expire until 2090, will ensure a lifetime of health care. "I'll be 124 years old by then," said Feal, a former demolition supervisor who lost part of his foot during the cleanup efforts at Ground Zero. "To get this done, it took a lot of hard work, determination and the shaming of members of Congress to do the right thing." Length of Program Is ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Legislation, Laws & Litigation Source Type: news