New Bill Introduced By NY Delegation Members to Close WTC Health Program Funding Gap
Here’s are some excerpts from the press release sent out yesterday by Rep. Nadler’s office:
“Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Representatives Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-2) Anthony D'Esposito (R-NY-4), and Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), 9/11 health program advocates, and 9/11 responders and survivors announced the bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023 to close the funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The bill will address the long-term funding shortfall, allow excluded Pentagon and Shanksville responders to join the program, and make technical corrections to the program.
The elected officials were joined by International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly, 9/11 advocate John Feal, union representatives of NYPD and FDNY, and other 9/11 responder and survivor advocates, including medical professionals."
Here’s what the bill will do:
“The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023 would:
Address the projected funding shortfall and some statutory issues.
Fix the original statute from 2010 that has been interpreted by HHS to bar 9/11 responders at the Pentagon and Shanksville who were active-duty DOD military or civilians, as well as other federal employees, from being included in the World Trade Center Health Program.
Change minor details in the text of the initial law regarding flexibility in certain program positions, certifications, credentialing providers, and calculating enrollment and time requirements for processing new conditions.”
The full text of the bill is available here. If you want to get involved in the effort to get this bill passed, email us at info@stuyhealth.org for more information!