Almost exactly one year ago, I wrote about how the federal government was turning its back on Ground Zero survivors and first responders who may have developed cancer due to their exposure to toxic fumes in the aftermath of the Twin Tower’s collapse.
Finally, that’s changing.
World Trade Center Program Administrator John Howard, M.D. has announced that fifty types of cancer will be added to the list of covered illnesses, which may allow more individuals to get treatment and compensation. “May” is the operative word here since funding has not been increased accordingly, according to USNews.com.
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The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program was established in the The James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act, which President Obama signed into law in January of 2011. It was named after NYPD officer James Zadroga who died at the age of 34 after developing severe respiratory illnesses that were likely related to World Trade Center clean up work he did. The program, which includes a Responder Program (for rescue and recovery workers) and a Survivor Program (for those who in lower Manhattan), is designed to provide monitoring and treatment for those whose health was compromised. The program is also expected to open up enrollment for responders to the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pa., crash site later this year.
Those who wish to apply can visit the WTC Health Program site.
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Image: dennoit, via Flickr
Gerri Detweiler Gerri Detweiler is Credit.com's Director of Consumer Education. She focuses on helping people understand their credit and debt, and writes about those issues, as well as financial legislation, budgeting, debt recovery and savings strategies. She is also the co-author of Debt Collection Answers: How to Use Debt Collection Laws to Protect Your Rights, and Reduce Stress: Real-Life Solutions for Solving Your Credit Crisis as well as host of TalkCreditRadio.com.
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