About Us
Why do we need a 9/11 Health Watch?
Even with the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010, and the law’s reauthorization in 2015 and 2019, there is still much that needs to be done to ensure the Federal government’s proper and continued long term commitment to the health and well-being of 9/11 responders, survivors and their families. The Act provides for monitoring, medical treatment and compensation for those exposed to and made sick by toxic exposures that resulted from 9/11. We need to make sure the programs the Act created live up to their promise.
That is why we have created 9/11 Health Watch — an independent watch group. 9/11 Health Watch is monitoring the programs created by the law; is ready to address any lapses in the delivery of services; is ready, if necessary, to suggest changes that might be needed; and is ready to make sure that responders and survivors have the information on how the programs are working that they deserve.
We have already worked to help fix the early problems with the reopened September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and are continuing to make sure it and the World Trade Center Health Program provides care for injured and ill 9/11 responders and Survivors as the law intended. With the reauthorization of both programs, we will continue to work to make sure they fulfill their purpose.
9/11 Health Watch Inc. was created, along with its advocacy sister organization, Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, by the unions and groups that fought so hard to get the law passed.
We are dedicated to making sure that the goal of providing quality medical care and compensation for injured and ill 9/11 responders and Survivors – embodied in the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and its reauthorization in 2015 and 2019 – is met.
9/11 Health Watch Inc. is a 501(c)(3).
Who we are
Board of Directors
President
Peg Seminario, Former Safety and Health Director for the AFL-CIO
Treasurer
Ryan Delgado, Chief of Staff, New York State AFL-CIO
Secretary
Micki Siegel de Hernandez, Communication Workers of America National Deputy Director of Occupational Safety and Health
Rupa Bhattacharya, Special Litigation Counsel, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, Georgetown University Law Center
Jessica Garcia, Retail, Assistant to the President, Wholesale and Department Store Union International
Steven Markowitz, MD, DrPH
Sybil McPherson, Assistant Director of State Legislation for District Council 37
Sean Michael, Battalion Chief in the FDNY and a Chiefs Representative in the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA)
Lisa M. Sabitoni, Executive Director, Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America; Special Asst. to the GST, Laborers’ International Union of North America
James Slevin, 1st District Vice President, International Association of Fire Fighters.
Staff
Ben Chevat, Executive Director
Suzy Ballantyne, Deputy Executive Director
Supporters
Below are a list of unions and organizations that support 9/11 Health Watch.
AFSCME
Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
Detectives’ Endowment Association, Inc.
District Council 37, AFSCME
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
FealGood Foundation
Lieutenants Benevolent Association
New York State Laborers’ Union
New York City Central Labor Council
New Yorkers for Patient & Family Empowerment
New York State AFL-CIO
New York City Central Labor Council
NYPD Captains Endowment Association
Police Benevolent Association
Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Inc.
Sergeants Benevolent Association
Uniformed Fire Fighters Association
Uniformed Fire Officers Association
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Trades
United Federation of Teachers
9/11 Health Watch
c/o NYS AFL-CIO
100 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210
(646) 634-9103