Imperial Valley News

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Bob Filner announced today that he is taking action to provide health care, medical monitoring, and compensation to California residents and thousands of others across the country who are sick or injured as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Congressman Filner has cosponsored H.R. 3543, the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would ensure medical monitoring for everyone who was exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, treatment for anyone who is sick as a result, and compensation for economic losses by reopening the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.  Under this bill, proper care would be guaranteed to the thousands of people who came from across the country to respond to the 9/11 attacks.

Filner noted that 1,035 Californians, including 39 who reside in Filner’s district, have signed up for the World Trade Center Health Registry, indicating that they were in lower Manhattan on or shortly after 9/11 and now have serious concerns about their health.

“First responders from all 50 states came to New York to help in the aftermath of 9/11, but the federal government has refused to respond to their subsequent health needs. We must reverse this reprehensible policy and help the very people who stepped up to help us,” said Congressman Filner.  “This bill will provide appropriate care to thousands of Americans who are suffering as a result of their heroism and public service after the terrorist attacks on our country.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to pass this bipartisan and truly patriotic legislation.”

Background:

The collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 released a massive dust cloud containing thousands of tons of coarse and fine particulate matter, cement dust, glass fibers, asbestos, lead, hydrochloric acid, and other toxic pollutants.  Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero, including first responders; rescue, recovery, and clean-up workers; volunteers from all 50 states; and area residents, office workers, and schoolchildren.  Thousands of people are now sick as a result of their exposure.

Summary of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:

In general, the bill would:

* Ensure that everyone exposed to the Ground Zero toxins has a right to be medically monitored and all who are sick as a result have a right to treatment;

* Expand care to the entire exposed community, which includes residents, area workers and school children as well as the thousands of people from across the country who assisted with the recovery and clean-up effort; and

* Provide compensation for economic damages by reopening the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Specifically, the bill would:

* Establish the World Trade Center Health Program within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to provide medical monitoring and treatment for WTC-related conditions to WTC Responders and WTC-area residents and other non-responders, with no cost sharing.  The Director of NIOSH or his designee will administer the program.  The bill would also establish the WTC Health Program Steering Committee and the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee.

* Provide Monitoring and Treatment for WTC Responders.  If a responder is determined to be eligible for monitoring based on the criteria provided for in the bill, then that responder has a right to medical monitoring that is paid for by the program.  Once a responder is in monitoring, if an approved physician diagnoses a condition that is on the list of presumed WTC-related health conditions in the bill, then that responder has a right to treatment for that condition that is paid for by the program.

* Provide Monitoring and Treatment for WTC Responders outside of NY area.   The program administrator will establish a nationwide network of providers so that eligible responders who live outside of the New York area can reasonable access monitoring and treatment benefits near where they live.

* Provide for Research into Conditions.  In consultation with the Program Steering Committee and under all applicable privacy protections, HHS will conduct or support research about conditions that may be WTC-related, and about diagnosing and treating WTC-related conditions.

* Extend support for NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene programs: NIOSH would extend and expand support for the World Trade Center Health Registry and provide grants for the mental health needs of individuals who are not otherwise eligible for services under this bill.

* Reopen the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide compensation for economic damages and loss for individuals who did not file before or became ill after the original December 22, 2003 deadline.  The bill would allow for adjustment of previous awards if the Special Master of the fund determines the medical conditions of the claimant warrants an adjustment, and amend eligibility rules so that responders to the 9/11 attacks who arrived later than the first 96 hours after the attacks could be eligible if they experienced illness or injury from their work at the site.