Cover Photo: Congressman Andrew Garbarino (Credit – Matt Meduri)
Recently a coalition of lawmakers and advocates convened a press conference to address a critical issue facing 9/11 first responders and survivors. Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Representatives Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) and Dan Goldman (D, NY-10) introduced the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024. This bill aims to provide permanent and mandatory funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), thereby preventing a future funding shortfall and ensuring that those affected by the 9/11 attacks continue to receive necessary medical care.
The WTCHP, established by Congress in 2011 on a bipartisan basis, offers medical treatment and monitoring for individuals suffering from the long-term effects of the toxins released during the 9/11 attacks. However, without additional funding, the program will face severe financial shortfalls by 2028, forcing it to cut services and turn away new patients. The proposed legislation seeks to rectify this by updating the program’s funding formula and securing its financial future until 2090.
The press conference brought together a diverse group of supporters, including 9/11 advocate John Feal, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York Andrew Ansbro, President of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association Vincent Vallelong, and 9/11 advocate Phil Alvarez. Their presence underscored the widespread and urgent support for this legislative effort.
“There are more than 132,000 Americans enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. That includes responders and survivors of all ages and from every state in the nation. They are suffering from more than 60 different types of cancers and a series of other chronic conditions. They are dealing with these illnesses because they were there that horrible day, or in the days that followed. It’s because they helped pull survivors from the wreckage, clear debris, and put our city back together. For that, we owe them a debt and we mean to deliver on it,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino. “Over the last several years, we have successfully chipped away at the program’s funding shortfall – first securing $1 billion, and then an additional $676 million to keep the program afloat. With the introduction of this bill, we hope to move past the piecemeal funding solutions and fully fund 9/11 health care for all those who need it. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is not a New York issue. This is an American issue, and I urge every one of my House and Senate colleagues to remember that and support this legislation.”
The 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correc-tion Act of 2024 includes several key provisions such as permanent and mandatory funding which ensures ongoing financial support to prevent any interruption in services, an updated funding formula which adjusts the formula to better align with the projected needs and costs of the program, increased funding for research which will allocate additional resources for research and data collection on 9/11-related health conditions and technical corrections which will implement necessary updates to the existing statute to streamline operations and address any current inefficiencies.
The WTCHP provides essential medical services to over 120,000 individuals across all 50 states and 434 of the 435 congressional districts. It covers a wide range of affected populations, including first responders, survivors, and children who were in downtown Manhattan during and after the attacks. The program’s reauthorization in 2015 extended its provisions through 2090, demonstrating long-term bipartisan commitment.
Despite recent funding infusions of $1 billion in 2022 and an additional $676 million in 2023, the program is projected to face a significant funding gap. This shortfall threatens to undermine the program’s ability to provide comprehensive care, making the proposed legislation crucial for its survival.
“Five years ago last month, my brother NYPD Det. Luis (Lou) Alvarez, in his last few days on this earth, sick from a 9/11-related cancer, traveled to Washington D.C., like FDNY Firefighter Ray Pfeifer and so many before him, was forced to come and plea for legislation that would take care of those suffering from exposures on that dreaded day in our history,” said 9/11 Advocate Phil Alvarez. “Approximately two weeks later, on June 29, 2019, we lost my brother. Today, I applaud Congressman Garbarino and Senator Gillibrand and others that are working together and trying to make sure those that those that are sick and dying from 9/11 exposures never have to make that trip again. On behalf of the Alvarez family, I offer our gratitude, never forget Lou Alvarez and our 9/11 heroes.”
The event saw heartfelt testimonials from advocates and representatives of affected groups. John Feal, a prominent 9/11 advocate, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“The WTCHP is a lifeline, a heartbeat, a pulse for tens of thousands. Not taking this serious is reckless and an insult to Yesterdays heroes and survivors,” said Feal.
“Our City and our Nation paid a heavy price on September 11, 2001, one which my members and first responders across the U.S. continue to pay for willingly and selflessly answering the call to duty,” said NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong. “The courage displayed by these men and women in the response to 9/11 lifted up our nation in its hour of greatest need, and now Congress must do its duty and keep the faith with these heroes by passing the ‘9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act”.
As the bill moves through Congress, its supporters are calling on the public and their fellow lawmakers to rally behind it. The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction are dire. With the health and lives of thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors hanging in the balance, the need for decisive and bipartisan action has never been clearer.
The introduction of the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024 represents a critical step in fulfilling the nation’s promise to those who risked everything on one of America’s darkest days. As the legislative process unfolds, the continued advocacy and support from both sides of the aisle will be essential in securing the future of the WTCHP and ensuring that no 9/11 responder or survivor is left without the care they deserve.
