New York State AFL-CIO: Congress Still Needs to Pass 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

Denis Hughes, President of the 2 ½ million member New York State AFL-CIO today issued the following statement:

"The proposed settlement to resolve 10,000 – 11,000 lawsuits by responders and clean-up workers for illnesses and injuries from exposure to toxins at the World Trade Center Site will provide these individuals some long overdue compensation for their injuries.

"But there are many more individuals who are sick than those who filed lawsuits. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, more than 20,000 individuals have been diagnosed and treated for World Trade Center-related health problems in the government-funded 9/11 health program. Overall more than 55,000 responders and 4,500 community members are receiving medical monitoring and/or treatment in this program due to their 9/11 exposures and illnesses.

"These individuals need ongoing medical care, and those who are sick need to be fairly compensated for their losses.

"The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would provide specialized ongoing monitoring and medical treatment for those who have been exposed to 9/11 toxins. The WTC Captive settlement provides no such monitoring or treatment.

"The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would reopen the Victims' Compensation Fund and provide those who are sick a no-fault system to be compensated for their losses with minimal legal costs.

"Nearly nine years after the September 11 attacks and the collapse of the World Trade Center it is time for the Congress to act and pass the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act so the heroes of 9/11 and all of those who have been made sick finally get the medical care and compensation they need."

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