The World Trade Center Health Program, established to aid first responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks, is facing a growing funding crisis. A projected $3 billion shortfall over the next decade threatens the program's ability to continue providing essential services.
Two decades later, more 9/11 first responders and survivors have been getting sick at an alarming rate -- and as the number of people who need help grows, so too does the need for additional funding. On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States of America was attacked in an act of war. We suffered almost 3,000 casualties.Approximately 400,000 people were exposed to the toxic air around Ground Zero. This exposure inevitably meant illnesses — and more death. That is why we, along with New York Reps.
Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler, authored the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, or the 9/11 Act. The bill established the World Trade Center Health Program, which continues to provide testing and treatment to first responders and survivors. Since its inception, more than 135,000 first responders and other survivors have enrolled in the program. Of those, nearly 84,000 have had at least one 9/11-related illness — 28 times the number of casualties on 9/11 itself. The status of this program must never be in doubt — but it is. After the law passed in 2010 after years of effort, Congress reauthorized the WTC Health Program through 2090, to ensure that it would be there for the entire lives of those impacted by the toxins. But tragically, more first responders and survivors have been getting sick at an alarming rate — and as the number of people who need help grows, so too does the need for additional funding. Because of this increased usage, program managers have projected a $3 billion funding shortfall over the next decade, starting in 2028. And if no further funding is allocated, the program will have to start making cutbacks, beginning in 2027
9/11 Health Program Funding Crisis First Responders Survivors
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