Patrick R. McElhiney believes that the 9/11 responders that are still in need of funding for their medical expenses need to be covered 100%, and the delays in Congress need to stop. These are our nation's heroes, that helped to rescue countless people on September 11th, 2001 - they responded to the act of terrorism 5 seconds after it was reported, and yet 18 years later, Congressional members didn't even show up to see and hear from the responders during a hearing on 6/11/2019. Patrick appreciates Jon Stewart's work to support the voices of these heroes that obviously aren't being heard, because they are uncertain about their futures, after doing their job so bravely on 9/11. There's not a single member of Congress that hasn't tweeted out that they appreciate the work that the 9/11 responders did, yet some of them, represented by empty seats, can't even look the responders in the eye. It's shameful that members of Congress are making our nation's heroes wait to receive the care that they need.
One responder is starting his 69th chemotherapy session. He said that Congress made them go there to testify. The House bill passed, but it's not clear when it will make it through the Senate. The first responders are dealing with cough, stomach problems, surgeries for nasal passages, and fast-moving cancers. They're running through the funds faster than they thought. There are more cancers and illnesses being recognized. The issue in Congress was the amount of money. It amounted to $7.4 Billion in 2015. They've gone through over $5 Billion. It's going to take billions to fill the gap, and billions more to continue the fund.
Many first responders are still struggling with health problems. Toxic air from the downed towers, full of chemicals and dust, have left responders with major disabilities. The EPA declared the site as safe - when it wasn't. The EPA Administrator from the Bush Administration defended that decision in Congress. This led to the James Zadroga Act - the 9/11 fund for healthcare, and the multi-billion dollar compensation fund. The victims' compensation fund ends in 2020.
9/11 responders' healthcare is being funded for the next 70 years by Congress. The bill passed to the House floor in the second week of June 2019. It should go through the Senate later in the Summer of 2019. The pressure isn't enough to move it through the Senate quite yet. The hold up has been that people thought it's a New York issue. It was seen as a regional issue, but people from all over the country came to New York as responders, and people from all over the country are getting sick. Tens of thousands of Americans are dependent upon this fund. There are 700 people in Texas, where 400 are eligible. Florida has thousands of people. 15 people were found in Virginia just during the week that the bill was brought up.
