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Subscribe to RSSThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is giving surviving first responders and victims of the 9/11 attacks cancer coverage under the Zadroga Health and Compensation Law. NBC's Robert Bazell reports.
Updated at 5:15 p.m. ET: The federal government on Monday added 14 categories of cancer to the list of illnesses linked to the 9/11 terror attacks, which brings added coverage to rescue workers and people living near ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health approved the additions to the list of illnesses covered in the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which were proposed in June. The updated regulations take effect 30 days after the ruling is published in the Federal Register.
See more on this story on NBCNewYork.com
The decision "marks an important step in the effort to provide needed treatment and care to 9/11 responders and survivors," said Dr. John Howard, administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program established by the Zadroga law.
The Zadroga Act — named after NYPD Detective James Zadroga, who died at age 34 after working at ground zero — was signed into law nearly two years ago. Despite the hundreds of sick responders, the act did not cover cancer because of a supposed lack of scientific evidence linking cancer to ground zero toxins.
"We are getting sick in record numbers," said Ray Pfeiffer, a first responder who was diagnosed three years ago with kidney cancer. He said it has been a struggle to pay for expensive medications not fully covered by his insurance.
"It's fantastic news," he said of the expanded list of covered illnesses.
From the first hours of rescue efforts at the World Trade Center site, many feared that the fumes and dust contained chemicals that might cause cancer and other diseases. A new study claims those firemen suffer an increased rate of cancer. NBC's Robert Bazell reports.
About 400 residents and rescue workers have died from cancer since 9/11, according to the New York Post.
With cancer included in the program more victims are likely to seek compensation, which could cause individual awards to be reduced as officials divide up the $2.77 billion fund.
"They’re going to add cancers, but are they going to add more money to the fund?" Thomas "T.J." Gilmartin, who suffers from lung disease and sleep apnea, said to the Post. "It’s crazy. Every time, we gotta fight. It’s two years since Obama signed that bill, and nobody’s got 10 cents."
"We fought long and hard to make sure that our 9/11 heroes suffering from cancers obtained from their work at ground zero get the help they deserve," U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer, both of New York, said in a statement. "Today's announcement is a huge step forward that will provide justice and support to so many who are now suffering from cancer and other illnesses. We will press on - with advocates, the community, and our partners in government - to ensure that all those who suffered harm from 9/11 and its aftermath get the access to the program they so desperately need."
Family photo via NY Daily News / AP File
In this undated file photo, New York City Police Det. James Zadroga, left, holds his daughter Tylerann. Fifty cancers will be added to the Zadroga Act, which was named after the detective--who died of respiratory failure in Jan. 2006 after working at ground zero.
Last week, the New York City Fire Department added nine names to the 55 already etched on a wall honoring members who have died of illnesses related to ground zero rescue and recovery work, Reuters reported.
Some estimates put the overall death toll from 9/11-related illness at more than 1,000, according to Reuters. At least 20,000 ground zero workers are being treated across the country and 40,000 are being monitored by the World Trade Center Health Program, Reuters reported.
Tuesday marks the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
Last fall, the September 11 Memorial at ground zero finally opened in the footprints of the original towers. Since then, more than 4 million people have visited.
Financial, security and design setbacks have delayed the redevelopment of the World Trade Center in the past decade. A recent project audit indicates that overall site redevelopment costs have grown to nearly $15 billion.
One World Trade Center is nearing completion and is expected to open in 2014.
NBCNewYork.com's Brynn Gingras and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Good job NBC. Lets just give thoes bastards one more thing to celebrate about.
We just can't seem to spend enough on 9/11.
In this election we have the choice between a failed president, a bafoon and a highly successful president and a fiscal wiz kid. Liberals will chose the bafoon.
With the funds needing to increase the money needs to increase. If there has been 4 million visitors to the site why can't there be a required donation of per say 5 dollars a person. That would help raise money up for the survivors medical fees.
Romney has the midas touch. Everything he's touched has turned to gold. He's born leader and a very bright man. Ryan is a financial wiz kid who actually has a plan to fix the mess we are in. This election should be a no brainer. Obama has ruled against the will of the majority of Americans time after time. He can't even get his own party for vote for most of the things he wants. Why would anyone vote for him again outside of pure partisanship? We are facing fiscal colapse in a relatively short time with the massive debt we are piling up. We need to vote out any politican who stands in the way of fixing the problem. Our survival as a nation depends on it.
Then why did Romney leave Massachusetts in such a shambles when he was voted out of office as govenor?
It took the government 40 years to recognize the fact that lining a bunch of ships full of men around the Bikini Atoll during an ABomb detonation would cause leukemia and other forms of cancer. It took them 20 years to recognize that Agent Orange was a class 1 carcinogen. This is the same government that performed LSD experimentation in Germany on US Service Personnel..
Why does the fact that it took over a decade to recognize this such a surprise?
liberal idiot
I was in Germany in 1960. The government didn't experiment. We just wanted to get high. What a moron.
Actually, the LSD experiments were in 1948, post war occupational Germany, and have already been admitted to by US Officials. Most of the servicement involved had no idea what it was they were given.
Swagganaut brings up a point regarding the payment of workers' compensation benefits. While laws vary from state to state, typically there is recovery through the filing of a death claim against the employer's WC insurer. In my state (a no-fault state), surviving spouses receive a one-time lump sum payment of $100,000 with lifetime weekly benefits thereafter based upon 70% of the decedent's gross average weekly wage (until they remarry). Surviving children, etc. are eligible for benefits but I won't go into the intricacies.
From there, the WC carrier has the option to pursue a subrogation interest against the individual or entity that caused the accident. So, to that end, subrogation would have to go something along these lines in this situation: appeal to the US government to pursue an action on behalf of all WC carriers similarly situated against the country allowing the terrorists to live and train on their soil. The leaders of that country would have to pay and then have the option of pursuing their subrogation interests against the terrorists, and could seize the assets and property of the terrorists in order to recoup their losses. In this instance, they would likely recoup the goats and sheep someone mentioned above. However, if this scenario were to play out, I figure it may be a deterrent for countries to host terrorists - hit 'em where it hurts the most.
The same thing could be done for persons still living in terms of recoupment of their medical bills, etc. But here's the thing - by the time all of this is done, most of the people still living will be dead. Insurance companies have already shown their willingness to deny treatment and payment of any benefits, hiding behind causation factors. They have lawyered up and will continue to do so. Naturally, any offending host country will do the same. Meanwhile, our fellow citizens will continue to suffer and die because THEY WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I understand not rewarding bad behavior, but that is simply not the case with the responders and cleanup crews - they were there to help in their own capacities. They deserve to be treated better.
Another poster mentioned our dollars go toward funding ED medication for men. I would much rather my money go toward helping the sick and maimed than be spent helping someone get a stiffy. 'Nuff said.
All that being said, I find Swagganaut's mindset to be reprehensible. Yes, monetary sources for the care of the 9/11 responders, etc. may be debatable, but that should be the LAST thing these brave men and women should have to worry about. Our country should see to it that their needs are met to the fullest extent. Moreover, as citizens, we have a responsibility to take care of our own, first and foremost. Swagganaut's comments remind me of persons I've met from time to time - they don't want to help their fellow man/woman, they believe it is everyone else's problem BUT theirs, they scream MINE, MINE, MINE. Then the day comes when they are facing a personal catastrophe (careful with karma, she can be a real stinker and has a sick sense of humor) and they yell the loudest for everyone to come to their rescue. Ah, while things are good they would deny my statement, refute my words, but actions always speak louder than words. Swagganaut, I hope for your soul's sake you are just being a troll. Might want to start living verrrrry carefully.
It is really pathetic to see how the government treats its war veterans and rescue workers who come to the aid of American citizens. Why does it take so long for aid to be given to citizens in the US when everyone is quick to help countries in need due to earthquakes etc yet it takes years to bring a bill into place and then countless more years to see any action from the bill. US government should be ashamed.
I really feel like going out and dropping bombs on somebody. I just don't know who. I recall like yesterday seeing the Palestinian scum dancing in the streets after hearing about 9/11. That would be a good start.
Leave it to our government to take SO LONG TO RECOGNIZE THIS FACT. Instead of building a 70 million dollar memorial that will cost over 60 millions to operate yearly....perhaps they should have given that money to the brave responders and other individuals who helped look for survivors to help pay for their medical care. Our government knew that theses cancer cases were related...and there are probably more cases that will be diagnosed as time goes by. Anytime you have that much TOXIC fumes you are going to have serious medical conditions from it. I agree with Jeffrey Parks. The outcome of the Presidential elections are decided by a group of very powerful....very corrupt and very very wealthy individuals. These people are the ones who run the country.....the President is their puppet and they pull the strings. If you think "one man" runs this Country....think again.
Perhaps we should have profiling like Tel Aviv airport.......safest in the world.
Just like Obama to NOT see things through. I guess he likes his signature but his effort stops there because he does not care.
By the way, 911 could have been prevented. Clinton knew about lack of security in airports and did nothing about it. Democrats doing what they do best, pampering themselves and NOT taking care of business.
My heart goes out to all those who lost their lives and became seriously ill as a result of 911. Should have could have never happened thanks to
Bill Clinton it did.
Vote Republican, they are not all into their egos and hanging out with celebrities. What a waste, thanks to a couple of dems that are on power trips. Take that demented power away from them-
Vote Romney & Ryan 2012 YES!
Amen!
60 million a year to maintain the site of the attacks 700 million dollar monument... and they are just now going to help chip in for medical bills of the rescuers. What a bunch of BS their families deserve so much more now. The terrorists won in more ways than one that day, politicians helped.
that smoke and dust went all over the USA and then spreaded all over the world, where is tiny tims coverage?
Bible says,spirits&souls areForever-ofGod withGod,not ofGod separated fromGod,soWarsCan'tKill evil people,War's aDeception ofSatan
800# Gorilla, thats right, facts, just ask why the Democrats in the house passed Obamacare and forgot to tell everyone that WE..will be taxed. You are a pussy liberal. Got off your fat comunist ass and get to work.. oh that's right the socialistic government will take care of you
Bible says,spirits&souls areForever-ofGod withGod,not ofGod separated fromGod,soWarsCan'tKill evil people,War's aDeception ofSatan.
what gets me about my country is when their is a war the gov is ready to sign you up and when its over and their are casualties ..you have to fight to get medical help...really sickens me how the higher ups use the common American....
"finally"? Why do i feel like Americans already knew this @!$%# years ago? Is the government retarded or what.
This was not about politics, this was about The Zadroga Act — named after NYPD Detective James Zadroga, who died at age 34 after working at ground zero — was signed into law nearly two years ago. Despite the hundreds of sick responders, the act did not cover cancer because of a supposed lack of scientific evidence linking cancer to ground zero toxins. Good News!
When Is the government going to admit the aircraft In Pa. was shot down ?
You know they can't do that, even though there were no bodies or a plane in that field in PA. That would bring those 'phone calls' into question, that 'let's roll' stuff and would open up questions about that entire day that the government does not want to answer to the public who elects them.
We need to thank Bill Clinton for this special day, because he was very much apart of this. In 1986 terrorist Mohammad Atta blew up a bus in Isreal. As part of the Oslo agreement with the Palestinians in 1993, Isreal had to agree to release him but didn't want to. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Warren Christopher insisted on his release. You might remember Mohammad Atta, he was freed and eventually flew an airplane into Tower One of the World Trade Center. Thanks again Bill Clinton!
Wow there are some really wacked out conspiracy theory nuts on here. It also seems that repubs are sticking with their agenda of "I don't care what you are suffering from you are on your own" they want everyone to be as selfish as they are. If they can't make personal money on it they want no part of it.
Agreed, but the Dem's do the same thing (and I am a bleeding heart liberal) our government knows that all the things used to make everything in this country give us cancer, but the problem is so wide spread and the companies involved so rich and powerful that poor people just have to die so they can get rich using crap to create things they sell us instead of using safer materials.
Of course the conservatives have tricked entire generations into believing that wanting clean air, water and materials that don't kill you is somehow a Communism or Socialist sentiment.
Conservatives don't believe it's Un-Americana to:
Deny returning soldiers health care (cause that's socialism)
Pollute the water (Cause a strong economy is more important than your kids life)
and that anything green and healthy is somehow halfway to being supportive of Gay marriage. It's funny to me that grown men and women in America can be so brainwashed by Fox News that they think wanting to save the oceans or whales or trees is homosexual socialist thinking and somehow against God :)
Reading all the comments from the pinkos praising O'Bama is funny. Its like a cult following.
I understand it's an election year and blah blah blah...but this is not the time nor the place to be discussing politics. Today is the day to remember those we lost on that horrific day 11 years ago. I know everyone that was alive and kicking was affected in some way, big or small. Maybe only being 15 when it happened shielded my eyes from all this, but what I do know is what got me through is prayer. So instead of bringing in all this negativity to an already gloomy day, let us pray for those we lost and those who were affected.
Really? 400 people have died in the past 3 years that live in that area due to cancer? Based on the huge number of people that live in such a small area that does not really seem out of line. In the small community my parents live in I think every other household has someone in it that is either sick with cancer or has died from it. Just more government handouts.
If we had a working health care system, we wouldn't need government handouts.