Joseph Zagroda, father of James Zagroda, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Posted: Thursday, 25 June 2009 3:29PM
Senators Seek Funds For Sick 9/11 Workers
(CBS/AP) New York and New Jersey lawmakers are asking Congress to provide $12 billion in long-term medical care and monitoring to thousands of Sept. 11 workers who became sick after being exposed to toxic dust and debris at the World Trade Center site.
The bill, introduced Wednesday in the Senate, would reopen until 2031 a compensation fund for those who became ill after a 2003 deadline. It also would expand research of their illnesses and extend medical care to ailing workers who live outside of New York.
"We have an undeniable, morale obligation to provide them with health and treatment they deserve," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., at a Capitol Hill news conference attended by Sept. 11 workers and other New York and New Jersey lawmakers.
Nearly 16,000 responders and 2,700 community members are sick and receiving treatment, Gillibrand said.
Similar legislation failed last year, partly because New York City officials objected to paying a share of the costs. Under the senators' plan, the cost to New York would not exceed $250 million over a decade, which is half of what it would have paid over that period under legislation that was rejected last year.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who attended the press conference, said he supports the legislation, but still has concerns about the cost to the city.
"This is an attack against the entire country," Bloomberg said. "I think it's a national problem."
Other legislation has been proposed in the House. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., said she's confident it will be passed by the upcoming eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The bill was named for James Zadroga, a retired city detective who became ill after working hundreds of hours at ground zero. Zadroga, who died of lung disease at 34 in 2006, was declared killed in the line of duty by the NYPD. But the city medical examiner's office ruled that Zadroga's abuse of prescription drugs exacerbated his lung disease and declined to list him as an official Sept. 11 victim.
"There's no evidence of any drug addiction," Baden said, who added that all the evidence supports that Zadroga "died of chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust" at the ground zero site.
Dancing For Charity at the South Oakland Shelter 11/07
WWJ's Marie Osborne spoke live with Kevin Roach the Executive Director of the South Oakland Shelter. This is a charity event where area politicians, business leaders and media personalities will be pairing with professional dancers.
Movie Boot Camp 11/7
Larry Meistrich a veteran producer, talks about a three day filmakers workshop next weekend which he will host.
Health Care Overhaul 11/7
A live WWJ interview with AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney on today's health care rally in Royal Oak.
China Mission 11/7
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano further elaborates on the trip to China for himself and a board of delegates.
WWJ Newsradio 950 is Detroit's only all-news radio station and is the leader in Detroit radio news. Listen online to WWJ-AM 950 for live, local Detroit news, up-to-the-minute Detroit traffic, Detroit sports, Detroit business and Detroit community information. WWJ Newsradio 950 is an award winning radio station and you can listen online and podcast on demand Detroit news, Detroit Construction Alerts, Detroit School Closings, Winter Survival Guide and learn more about our Business Breakfasts. www.wwj.com.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
