Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Signing of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
9/11 Health Watch Statement on the Second Anniversary of the signing of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:
Today, January 2nd 2013, is the Second Anniversary of the signing into law by President Obama of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Public Law No: 111-347. After years of delay, the Congress, under pressure, finally acted by creating a new health program dedicated to the care of the responders and survivors who were affected by the toxins at ground zero and reopened the Victims Compensation Fund to provide compensation for economic losses for those injured.
Since then the Health Program, under Dr. John Howard was fully reorganized starting on July 1, 2011, without anyone missing an appointment or services. It now has almost 2,000 more responders and survivors being served along with the 62,000 that were already getting medical monitoring and treatment. More research is being funded and an outreach program has started to make sure that all those affected are provided services.
The Victims Compensation Fund was reopened just over a year ago on October 1, 2011 and is finally expected to start to provide compensation for economic losses this month.
A lot has been accomplished, but there is so much more that needs to be done.