[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION REGARDING 9/11 HEALTH ISSUES

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, as a next step in the long 
fight to ensure that the heroes of 9/11 get the medical monitoring and 
treatment they need and deserve, today with my colleague Rep. Vito 
Fossella, I am introducing a resolution urging the Administration to 
prepare a comprehensive plan to medically monitor all individuals--
responders, residents, area workers and school children--who were 
exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero on 9/11 and to treat all those who 
are sick as a result.
  A peer-reviewed study released last year by the World Trade Center 
Medical Monitoring Program found that 70 percent of 9/11 responders 
have suffered from respiratory ailments and 60 percent are still sick. 
Among those screened, 40 percent do not have health insurance. A study 
previously published by the New York City Fire Department documented a 
12-year lung capacity loss, on average, among New York City 
firefighters who responded to the World Trade Center.
  Despite these well-documented illnesses and lack of medical 
insurance, only a fraction of 9/11 responders, area residents, workers 
and school children are being medically monitored. Far fewer are 
receiving the treatment they need. Even worse, the first federal 
funding for treatment of responders, which was distributed in October 
2006, is projected to run out sometime this summer--just months after 
the treatment program began.
  I am pleased that the Administration has, for the first time ever, 
included funding in the FY2008 budget for health treatment for sick and 
injured 9/11 first responders. However, the $25 million included will 
cover just a small fraction of the cost of monitoring and treating the 
thousands exposed to the toxins of Ground Zero. I am also pleased that 
the Administration has finally said that HHS will be producing an 
estimate for the heath needs of first responders--but only first 
responders. Quite simply, a plan that takes into account only first 
responders is not sufficient. The hundreds of thousands of area 
residents, workers, school children and federal employees who are in 
need of monitoring and treatment deserve to be included in any plan put 
forth by HHS.
  I am hopeful that Congress will be taking direct action in the coming 
weeks and months to fund current treatment and monitoring programs as 
well as expand those programs to include all affected residents, school 
children, area workers and rescue workers who came to New York from 
across the country after 9/11. As we work together toward bolder 
action, I believe this resolution urging the Department of Health and 
Human Services to develop a comprehensive plan is an important first 
step in focusing the Administration's attention on the health needs of 
the all the heroes of 9/11.

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