The controversial Zadroga proposal has passed the House and is going before the Senate. Individuals who responded as emergency personnel or worked on the cleanup of the Sept. 11 violence get extended health benefits via this bill. There are demonstrated long term health effects from individuals on the site that day, who breathed in fumes, dust, and particles of debris. The bill is named for a cop who was one of the 1st to respond, James Zadroga. Inhaling those toxic materials may have caused Officer Zadroga’s passing.
House decides to secure the Zadroga proposal
The House of Representatives passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, or the Zadroga bill. The bill passed 268 to 160. The New York Times reports that $7.4 billion will be spent on the James Zadroga proposal. About $3.2 billion of the money can be used to help those from Ground Zero. Any illnesses or injuries from it can be looked into. New York City will chip in for 10 percent of the costs. Then one more $4.2 billion would be set aside. This would be meant as a September 11 Victim Compensation fund meant to be distributed.
Legislation brings up contention
This is the second time that this bill has been brought to the House. It had to have two-thirds majority in order to pass when it came at first in July. That did not end up happening. The first bill was introduced under those rules because of a proposed amendment by Republicans. Benefits would not have extended to illegal immigrants under the 1st James Zadroga act. That’s why it had to be changed. James Zadroga is controversy also. Numerous dispute about those facts. The medical examiner who performed his autopsy determined he did not die from any causes related to his involvement within the Sept. 11 attacks. The debate over the first bill was heated and marked by a feud between Representatives Anthony Wiener and Peter King.
The survivors of September 11 assaults
Some people who were involved within the initial reaction and clean up following the September 11 assaults have suffered health effects. There are 60,000 individuals receiving medical care as a result of those effects.
Details from
NY Times
cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/911-health-care-bill-passes/?partner=rss and emc=rss
