Congress omits funding for World Trade Center Health Program

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Thousands of first responders who received financial aid from the World Trade Center Health Program were left to fend for themselves.

Congress left the program out of the budget bill last Friday to avoid a government shutdown.

Just two days before Congress left the program out, first responders had celebrated that the 9/11 health compensation bill was going to be funded until 2040. However, by Friday that celebration turned into outrage.

“There are 130,000 Americans in the WTC health care program this is not a New York City problem, it's America’s problem. 9/11 affected everybody in New York immediately but it’s affected the entire country” said FDNY Firefighters Association president, Andrew Ansbro.

Approved 14 years ago, the CDC’s World Trade Center Health Program covers medical expenses for first responders and survivors suffering from 9/11-related illnesses.

James Brosi, FDNY Fire Officers’ Association president says “This bill would have been passed so people’s lives could be longer so while they are diagnosed with the most diagnosed with the most horrific cancers, they might have some dignity and quality of life in the process.”

Thousands of Americans have been diagnosed with several illnesses after being exposed to the toxic air at ground zero. The program’s lack of funding will cause treatments for first responders and survivors to be rationed. FDNY union representatives are asking Congress to take definitive action. “We are asking for stability in the government to just get ahead of this and make a stand-alone bill everyone keep your hands off it and stop horse-trading with the lives of New York City’s first responders are not pork to be traded back and forth and bargain with,” said Ansbro.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in a statement said, “Thousands of Americans risked their lives to protect our country in its darkest hour, and it is now our responsibility as members of Congress to be there for them as they continue to battle the horrific health ramifications from that day and the many days after”. But for James Brosi, that statement falls short “for the two senators who held the majority for the last four years who have worked tirelessly working on this but came up short find the way."

A new Congress will resume in January. First responders say they will continue fighting for permanent funding.