Committee Set To Reauthorize Critical September 11th Health Legislation

Press Release

The Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, June 11, at 10:15 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, "Examining H.R. 1786, James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act." Subcommittee members will discuss H.R. 1786, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.

"We will never forget the events of 9/11, the lives taken much too soon, as well as the remarkable bravery of all of those men and women who raced to ground zero and worked days on end in the relief efforts. Although we rebuilt and the Freedom Tower now stands tall as a beacon to our strength and resilience, many, many folks continue to suffer to this day," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). "I am proud to work with my colleague, Frank Pallone, whose constituents are among those most in need of these critical programs, as we move this important bipartisan bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee and ultimately into law.

"We will never forget the horror of 9/11, but we also cannot forget about the thousands who risked their lives to save others on that morning," said Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). "We now have a responsibility to come to those who continue to suffer from adverse health effects. The Zadroga Act ensures that these brave men and women receive the care that they need and deserve, and I am pleased that we are moving forward to reauthorize this critical legislation."

This bipartisan legislation would provide important resources and certainty to programs that support those affected by the September 11th attacks and their families. It would extend the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program indefinitely, remove the cap on payments under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), continue that fund until 2041, extend support for the WTC Health Registry, and exempt the VCF and WTC Health Program Fund from budget sequestration.

James Zadroga was a NYPD officer who responded for the rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero. Zadroga passed away in 2006 at age 34 because of health complications related to the 9/11 recovery efforts.

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