Statement from Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act on House Passage of the “Build Back Better” Bill Which Includes Funding for the World Trade Center Health Program

Maloney, Nadler, Pallone, Schumer, Gillibrand fight to ensure health care for thousands of injured and 9/11 responders and survivors

WASHINGTON, DC – Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act applauded the inclusion of funding needed to ensure health care for thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors in President Biden’s “Build Back Better” Bill that passed the House of Representatives today, and praised the efforts of Members of Congress Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, and Frank Pallone, as well as Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.

The funding that was included tracks the “9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act,” HR.4965/S. 2683, which addresses the impending shortfall facing the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and will provide full funding for the program to provide services for the next ten years.

In addition to the increased funding, the Build Back Better bill contains authorization for the World Trade Center Health Program to create a research cohort to better study the impact of the toxins at Ground Zero on those residents and students who were children and young adults at the time of the attack. Currently there is insufficient data on the potential health impacts to this population because of the lack of sufficient research capabilities.

Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act said, “Reps. Maloney, Nadler, and Pallone and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, along with their colleagues, worked to make sure the funding for 9/11 responders and survivors was included in the Build Back Better Bill that the House of Representatives passed today and sent to the Senate for consideration. Their work is a testament to their continuing determination to ensure that those injured and dealing with the impact of the toxins at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville will continue to be cared for.”

While Congress authorized the health program to remain open until 2090, the funding needs of the World Trade Center Health Program are projected to exceed the current statutory funding formula that was created in 2015. The legislation that passed in the House today, would provide the additional funding needed to prevent cuts in services to injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors.

With the inclusion of this funding in the Build Back Better legislation, which was sent to the Senate for consideration, the Health Program will have the sufficient funds it needs to provide care for all those still suffering the physical and mental impacts of 9/11 over the next ten years. This includes responders and survivors who will be newly diagnosed with 9/11-associated cancers caused by their toxic exposures.