"The Trump administration has come under fire for targeting the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), a lifeline for thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors. Photo by Dean Moses Following years of advocates' calls for Congress to shore up funding to support a health program for 9/11 survivors, this year's budget will include a new funding formula resolving a deficit in federal dollars that would have cut services starting next year."
"The revised formula, part of a bipartisan budget plan that will go before both the Senate and House this week, will provide significant funding to the World Trade Center Health Program, which supports first responders and survivors who have long-term health issues stemming from the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. New York Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, both Democrats, and Long Island U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, a Republican, are among those who worked to secure the funding after Elon Musk helped to torpedo a previous plan under the 2024 year-end omnibus legislation."
A revised funding formula in the current budget resolves a federal deficit that would have cut World Trade Center Health Program services starting next year. The formula is included in a bipartisan 2026 appropriations bill headed to the Senate and House and secures funding through 2040. The World Trade Center Health Program serves roughly 137,000 first responders and survivors with long-term health issues from toxic debris exposure after Sept. 11, 2001. New York Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer and Rep. Andrew Garbarino helped secure the funding after earlier plans stalled. The James Zadroga Act provides the statutory foundation for monitoring and aid. Advocates said removing impending budget threats allows sick people to focus on care without fear of service cuts.
Read at www.amny.com
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