Pallone Lauds House Passage of 9/11 James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act
September 29, 2010
“This legislation only begins to recognize the sacrifices our first responders made as they served in the weeks and months after the 9/11 terrorist attack,” said Pallone. “Today’s action is a significant step toward providing the delayed victims of this disaster with the care they deserve. I hope to see the president sign this legislation soon.”
The legislation would provide funding for the medical treatment of health conditions associated with those who were exposed to toxins at Ground Zero which includes first responders, residents and area workers. It would direct 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 different and emerging methods of diagnosis and treatment.
The bill would build upon 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.
The legislation is the result of approximately 20 hearings on the public health effects of 9/11, with testimony from approximately 150 health experts, first responders, New York city residents, and city and state officials over eight years.
“This legislation has been a long time coming, and we in Congress have an obligation to our nation's heroes and to the victims of these attacks. It is our turn to step up to the plate and come to their aide,” said Pallone.