Clinton, Schumer Announce Full Senate Approval of $55M to Expand Health Coverage for 9/11 E.Workers

[rinsd]

Funding Comes as Thousands of Patients are Seeking Treatment for 9/11 Related Illnesses, with Numbers Rising

Funds to Expand Treatment to Residents, Office and Commercial Workers, Students, and Other Individuals

Call for Focus on Long-Term, Comprehensive Solution to Screen and Monitor All Individuals Who were Exposed to the Environmental Hazards After the September 11th Attac

Washington, DC – Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer today announced that the full Senate has approved an additional $55 million in federal funding to address the mounting health needs of those individuals who were exposed to the environmental hazards released as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center.

The funding, which comes in addition to the $50 million that was provided in the recent Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill, was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations Bill by the Senate Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill will now proceed to the conference with the House as the next step in the appropriations process.

“Passage of this bill by the Senate is great news for those who still suffer from the lingering effects of the 9/11 attacks,” Senator Clinton said. “This additional funding is vital to the first responders, building and construction trades workers, volunteers, office workers, residents, students, and others who are experiencing health problems from the exposure to toxic substances released by the attacks. It is our national responsibility to care for those who did our country proud in the hours, days, weeks, or months following the horrific attacks. Today’s announcement by the Senate gives us renewed hope that the funding needed to carry on these vital health tracking and treatment services will be delivered, and I strongly urge the President not to veto this critical legislation.”

“Senate passage of this essential funding is encouraging news for all of the workers at Ground Zero who served America in its time of need, and for others affected by air contamination around the World Trade Center site. The message of this vote is clear- America is here for you in your time of need. However, the fight is not over. The administration has refused to fully fund the many clinics and programs that serve the heroes still suffering from the affects of 9/11, and those yet to develop symptoms. That is simply not right. We will continue to fight for full funding for our first responders to ensure they receive the attention and care they deserve,” said Senator Schumer.

Specifically, the $55 million will go towards screening, monitoring and treatment activities administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to help those individuals who were exposed to the environmental hazards released on and after 9/11. The bill also includes language requiring the Department of Health and Human Services, through NIOSH, to expand the program beyond responders and rescue workers to entities that would provide services to residents, office and commercial workers, students, and other individuals who were exposed. Existing programs to serve those who were impacted include the centers in the Mt Sinai Consortium and the program run by the New York City Fire Department.

Finally, the bill, which was given full Senate approval last night, encourages the development of a long-term, comprehensive solution to screen and monitor all individuals who were exposed to environmental hazards from the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse and encourages the provision of long-term comprehensive medical services for those experiencing illnesses or injuries as a result of these exposures.

Senators Clinton and Schumer said that the approved funding is a recognition of the importance of addressing the short and long-term health needs of those individuals who were exposed to the environmental hazards released as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center, and affirms the commitment of the federal government to provide assistance to those whose physical and mental health was adversely impacted as a result of this exposure. More than six years after the attacks, persistent health effects have been documented among rescue and recovery workers, such as asthma, chronic sinusitis, and gastrointestinal conditions. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other health effects have also been diagnosed among those who have been exposed.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=285983&&

[trashcanistanista]

1. K&R

I hope asshat doesn't veto.:dem: