House passes $70 million for 9/11 health care
House passes $70 million for 9/11 health care, News Release from Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), and Michael McMahon (D-NY), 12/10/09
Washington, D.C. – Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), and Michael McMahon (D-NY) today applauded the House passage of $70.7 million in new funding for federal 9/11 health programs. The funding is contained in the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations bill (H.R. 3288).
“This funding is another payment on the debt America owes 9/11 responders and others who lost their health because of the attacks,” said Rep. Maloney. “In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with the Obama Administration to expand federal 9/11 health programs and improve outreach to Americans with 9/11-related illnesses. In addition, with the support of President Obama and Speaker Pelosi, I’m hopeful that we’ll soon reach our ultimate goal of passing comprehensive legislation to address the 9/11 health crisis.”
“I am very appreciative that my colleagues in the House have continued to understand the necessity of funding the vital WTC health programs,” said Nadler. “Without these funds, thousands of first responders and others who were exposed to the toxic dust of Ground Zero would not be able to receive health care they badly need. My deepest hope is that, by this time next year, we will have passed our 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, guaranteeing an ongoing and reliable source of funding for the 9/11 health programs.”
“It’s been over eight years since the heroes of 9/11 were exposed to the dust cloud, yet the health effects from exposure continue to develop,” said King. “Constant monitoring and treatment are essential to the health of all who were exposed and I am pleased that this money has been included so that this vital program can continue.”
“This funding demonstrates the commitment of the New York delegation and President Obama to never forget 9/11 and to continue addressing the long-term healthcare issues of the survivors and first responders,” said Rep. Michael E. McMahon. “I applaud my colleagues who helped pass this measure and look forward to our continued work to provide comprehensive health care for the first responders of 9/11.”
Maloney, Nadler, King, McMahon, and their colleagues in the New York congressional delegation have introduced the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847), which would provide critical health care and compensation for those sickened or injured in the aftermath of 9/11. The Members of Congress hope to pass the bill in the coming months with President Obama’s support.
The relevant section of the Omnibus Appropriations bill states that “$70,723,000 shall be available until expended to provide screening and treatment for first responders, emergency services personnel, residents, students, and others related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.”
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Chump Change. Pathetic.... but better than *nothing*.
After 8 long years... a paltry $70 million.. that's chump change,. There again, what can one expect when 98.5% of DC lobbying efforts aimed at our *alleged* representatives in DC come straight from corporate America? Big business is not going to benefit from treating first responders, and as far as they are concerned, these people might as well just get sick (and/or die) since they are not contributing to their bottom lines.
How many people are going to die from 9/11 related illnesses? Nobody knows of course, but the quantity of toxic material including micron-size particles of asbestos, mercury, pcbs, gypsum, lead and other heavy metals, radioactive Americium, phosgene and others is possibly a recipe for a potential epidemic of mesothelial cancers and other severe ailments in the coming years amongst 10s of thousands of people who inhaled that witches brew for up to 3 months after the attack. Correct me if I am wrong, but so far over 650 people have died from 9/11 related illnesses to date.
How come we fund multiple wars directed against innocent people who did not attacks us that day, to the tune of $1,000,000,000,000+ so far.... and without end.... but the brave folk who rush towards disaster in order to save people here at home are first lied to by the criminally irresponsible Whitman and others, then brushed aside, and finally, grudgingly, almost a decade later, are offered a pathetic pittance. The amount offered to these heroes is the equivalent of funding the Iraq war for about 4 hours and 45 minutes at the current rate of expenditure, in this vast never-ending gravy-train of corporate-welfare for the parasites in the "defense/security/surveillance" etc. sector. Don't get me started on the banksters......
HUGE
imo this is a huge step.
it shows now that the first responders were lied too, and the air has done enough damage to enough people to warrant millions of dollars and the attention of congress
I agree though this is only a first step. because the cost of some responders is so exspensive this could only cover 70 people out of hundreds
EPA
Condemnation without investigation is the height of Ignorance
Albert Einstein
But wait, The E.P.A. said the air was safe to breath.. They are the E.P.A.. -- They could not have been wrong?!
(good to see some righting of the wrongs)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3114326487145253050