Issue Position: First Responders and September 11

Issue Position

Soon after 9/11, I sounded the alarm that first responders and other workers and residents exposed to the toxic air at and around Ground Zero would suffer health effects from their exposure and would need help in the days, months and years to come.

I have led the successful efforts to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to establish and expand the World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program run by Mt. Sinai, and provide worker compensation benefits for sick workers. I joined with Senators Kennedy, Schumer, Lautenberg and Menendez to introduce the 9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act which would authorize $1.9 billion in grants for medical and mental health monitoring and treatment for those exposed to the dust and toxins in the days, weeks, and months following the attacks.

And this year, I worked with Senator Kennedy to convene the first Senate hearing on the urgent health needs affecting thousands in the wake of September 11.

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