110 HR 1414 IH: 9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2007-03-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1414 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 8, 2007 Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Engel, Mr. Towns, and Mr. Weiner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To establish a grant program for individuals still suffering health effects as a result of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the 9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act of 2007.

2.

Grants for 9/11-related health care

(a)

In General

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants to eligible entities to provide medical and mental health monitoring, tracking, and treatment to individuals whose health has been directly impacted as a result of the attacks on New York City and at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. (b)

Eligibility

(1)

In general

To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall— (A)be an entity— (i)that serves individuals described in subsection (a), including— (I)entities providing baseline and follow-up screening, clinical examinations, or long-term medical or mental health monitoring, analysis, or treatment to such individuals such as the Mount Sinai Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine of New York City, the World Trade Center Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital, the New York City Fire Department’s Bureau of Health Services and Counseling Services Unit, the New York City Police Foundation’s Project COPE, the Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance of New York City, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s World Trade Center Health Registry; and (II)any entity performing medical and mental health monitoring, tracking, or treatment of any individual that responded to the attacks at the Pentagon; or (ii)an entity not described in clause (i) that provides similar services to the individuals described in such clause; and (B)submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2)

Eligible individuals

Individuals eligible to receive assistance from an entity under a grant under this section shall include firefighters, police officers, paramedics, workers, volunteers, residents, students, and any other individual who worked at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills, or the Pentagon or who lived or worked in the vicinity of such areas, and whose health has deteriorated as a result of the attacks described in subsection (a), and who have been evaluated by a physician or mental health professional for 9/11-related health conditions and need treatment for such conditions. (c)

Priority in Awarding Assistance

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use amounts provided under such grant to provide assistance to individuals in the following order of priority: (1)Individuals who are not covered under health insurance coverage. (2)Individuals who need health care assistance beyond what their health insurance coverage provides. (3)Individuals with insufficient health care insurance coverage. (4)Individuals who are in need of health care coverage and who are not described in any of paragraphs (1) through (3). (d)

Report

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and monthly thereafter, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall submit to the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, a report on the use of funds under this section. (e)

Authorization of Appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $1,914,000,000 for fiscal years 2008 through 2012. (2)

Staff and administration

The Secretary may use not to exceed $10,000,000 of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for staffing and administrative expenses related to the implementation of this section. (3)

Use of other funds

The Secretary may use any funds appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services, or any other funds specifically designated, to carry out this section.