Introduction of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009

Floor Speech

INTRODUCTION OF THE 9/11 HEALTH AND COMPENSATION ACT OF 2009 -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 04, 2009)

Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the ``James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009,'' along with my good friends Mr. Nadler, Mr. King of New York, Mr. McMahon and others who have worked so tirelessly in this effort. This legislation would provide medical care and compensation for those who are sick with World Trade Center (WTC) illnesses, including first responders who came to New York from every state and nearly all Congressional districts in the nation.

Specifically, the bill would establish a federal health and compensation program for WTC responders and community members. Building on the existing programs at WTC Centers of Excellence, the program would provide ongoing medical care for WTC-related health conditions to approximately 15,000 additional WTC responders and 15,000 additional WTC community members, for a total of 55,000 responders and 17,500 community members.

The bill would also reopen the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for those sickened by 9/11 exposure and to address the over 10,000 pending lawsuits brought by sick 9/11 responders. Additionally it would limit the liability in litigation for New York City and the WTC contractors to the amounts available under the Captive Insurance Fund and their existing liability limits and insurance.

Finally, the legislation would require a matching contribution from the City of New York for the health program.

More than seven years after the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, we must not forget the heroes who served the nation in our time of need. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

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