Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker joined their New York counterparts to advocate for new legislation that would close the funding gap in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and other legislators announced on Feb. 28 the bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023 to ensure the WTCHP is fully funded.
“In the case of our brave first responders, they gave their lives while rushing towards danger. Running into burning buildings while others were rushing away. In the years since the attack, the phrase ‘Never Forget’ has been seared into our national conscience. It is an oath — our sacred vow to 9/11 victims, responders and survivors,” said Menendez in his remarks.
Funding Gap
The legislators noted that despite a $1 billion funding award in the 2022 budget, the program still faces a substantial funding gap. Additionally, it still excluded some Pentagon and Shanksville responders who were impacted in the response on that day.
Under the legislation, the bill would address the projected funding shortfall. Additionally, it would address some statutory issues in the bill.
Expansion of Eligibility
It would fix the original statute from 2010 that has summarily been interpreted by the Department of Health and Human Services to bar 9/11 responders at the Pentagon and Shanksville who were either active-duty Department of Defense military members or civilians.
This would also extend to other federal employees who were excluded from the WTCHP.
Finally, it would address minor details in the initial law to allow flexibility in certain program positions, certifications, credentialing providers, and calculating enrollment and time requirements for processing new conditions.
Booker Addresses Promises Kept
“I say all the time that when we say ‘never forget,’ for that to have meaning, it means never forget only in commemoration…it means by actions to take care of the healthcare of first responders,” Menendez continued.
Booker lamented how the first responders were required to come to Congress to ask legislators to fulfill their oath and promises.
“We made a promise 22 years ago to never forget the events of 9/11. That means making sure that all survivors and first responders who endured the tragedy are cared for, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that will provide the necessary federal funding to ensure support programs for those affected by 9/11 continue past this decade,” he said.
Advocates: Time is Crucial
NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong said that for 20 years, those that responded and their families have demonstrated why the WTCHP is “absolutely essential to 9/11 first responders and survivors.”
“With enrollees from nearly every congressional district in America, ensuring full funding for this vital program is not a ‘New York issue’, nor is it a ‘red’ or ‘blue’ state issue,” said Vallelong. “Rather, it is an issue of the moral obligation our nation has to those who went forward in the face of unprecedented terror and carnage to protect and serve others.”
“After 22 years let’s get this done in a timely manner so we can finally be left alone. We want to be left alone!” added John Feal, 9/11 Advocate.
