Carolyn Joins other Zadroga 9/11 Healthcare Act Advocates to Celebrate the Implementation of the Bill
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.
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.
Read the full article: Ribbon cutting symbolizes 9/11 survivors’ resilience
