Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Applauds Passage of 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade, applauded the passage of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that will provide 9/11 first responders and survivors with long-term, comprehensive health care and fair economic compensation.
“As a New Yorker I witnessed firsthand the significant impacts that my constituents, New Yorkers and those across this nation endured during the worst terrorist attack in the history of our nation on American soil. The passage of this bill helps protect the thousands of firefighters, police officers, EMTs, construction workers, U.S. military personnel and other first responders who demonstrated strong heroism and are suffering from respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental health conditions. Many of these first responders and survivors were exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero and desperately need our help in providing them with the long-term, comprehensive health care and compensation they deserve,” stated Congressman Meeks.
This legislation was named in honor of a police officer, James Zadroga, who died at the age of 34 from respiratory diseases contracted at Ground Zero. This bill will build on current World Trade Center health programs by providing long-term, comprehensive health care and compensation to approximately 65,000 responders and about 25,000 survivors.
The passage of the bill will enact the following:
• Establish the World Trade Center Health Program – Will provide medical monitoring and treatment for WTC-related conditions to WTC responders and WTC survivors.
• WTC Responder Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program – Will provide fully paid for medical monitoring based upon eligibility.
• WTC National Responder Program – Is a nationwide network of providers to provide easier access to those eligible individuals who live outside of the New York/New Jersey access to monitoring and treatment benefits near where they live.
• WTC Survivor Program – Will provide initial health screenings, medical treatment and follow-up monitoring to eligible WTC survivors.
• Cost Share for the City of New York – The City of New York is required to contribute a 10 percent matching cost share, but not more than $500 million over 10 years.
• Reopen the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) – Will provide liability protections for the WTX Contractors to provide fair compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system.
“The passing of this legislation is a big win for all of those in America. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to make sure that the responders and survivors who displayed such heroism for this country don’t have to worry about not receiving the healthcare that they deserve,” stated Congressman Meeks.
Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Congressman Meeks is the Chairman of the International Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. He is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Coalition and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus, OAS Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.
**To view Congressman Gregory W. Meeks speaking on the House Floor in favor of this legislation please click on the following link - https://www.house.gov/meeks/