September 3, 2015
LONG BRANCH, NJ – As the 14th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks approaches, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a bipartisan group of his New Jersey and New York colleagues called on Congress to prevent the expiration of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. The Members of Congress were joined by first responders and survivors at Ground Zero. Reauthorization of the legislation would ensure first responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center continue to receive the monitoring and care they need. Pallone is an original co-sponsor of the bill and, as the lead Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has been integral in securing a June hearing and advancing the bill.
"On 9/11, first responders answered our call for help when we needed them most. Yet, with the 14th anniversary approaching, many are still forced to deal with the enduring after-effects of their service at Ground Zero. We owe it to them to reauthorize the Zadroga Act so they can continue to receive the care they rely on,” said Congressman Pallone. “I am glad we were able to secure a hearing in my Committee, which was a critical first step toward passage. But as the anniversary approaches and as expiration of the program draws closer every day, Congress must redouble its efforts and renew its commitment to our 9/11 heroes.”
In addition to his efforts to advance the legislation in his Committee, Pallone has consistently made it a priority to call attention to the need for reauthorization. Prior to the June hearing, Pallone toured and held a press conference with first responders at the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program clinic at EOHSI in Piscataway, NJ.
In 2011, the bipartisan James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 was signed into law, establishing the WTC Health Program and the Nationwide Provider Network and reopened the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The programs provide the thousands of 9/11 responders and their survivors with medical treatment for 9/11-related health conditions and economic compensation for losses resulting from the attack. Without reauthorization, the WTC Health Program will expire in October of this year and the VCF will expire in 2016.
In addition to providing health care services, the legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct and support research into new conditions that may be related to the attacks and to evaluate emerging methods of diagnosis and treatment. The program builds on the expertise of the Centers of Excellence, which are currently providing high-quality care to thousands of responders and ensuring ongoing data collection and analysis to evaluate health risks.
