The re-opener of the New York State Workers' Compensation and Disability Retirement Registry for workers at the 9/11 site , Assembly Bill 7803A  sponsored by Assemblyman Abbate /Senate Bill 5759A  sponsored by Senator Golden, has been signed into law and is Chapter 489 of the Laws of 2013.

The legislation extends workers' compensation eligibility and benefits for 9/11 World Trade Center workers. Most notably, the legislation reopens the NYS Workers Compensation Board’s World Trade Center Registry; extends the deadline period for filing Form WTC-12, Registration of Participation in World Trade Center Rescue, Recovery and/or Clean-up Operations, with a new deadline to September 11, 2014.

The Legislation also reopens previously time-barred World Trade Center claims and considers them timely; and adds new qualifying conditions to the law. The NYS AFL-CIO will be working with its affiliates to spread the word, answer questions about eligibility and encourage any members or other workers who may be eligible to register, to do so prior to the new expiration date of September 11, 2014.

For more information and for copies of the form you can visit the NYS Workers Compensation Website. A complete description of all the programs available to 9/11 Responders and Survivors can be found on the 911 Health Watch website.

_______________________________________________________________________
The Senate passes compromise bill providing FREE Health Care to First Responders of NYC 9/11 terrorist attacks.

News Release: December 22, 2010
Contacts: Joe Soldevere (Maloney), 646-831-1649 Ilan Kayatsky (Nadler), 917-757-3104 Kevin Fogarty (King), 202-225-7896


The House of Representatives passed, for the second time, legislation to address the health crisis caused by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, will provide health care for those exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers.

The bill will also reopen the Federal Victim Compensation Fund to provide economic relief to those harmed by the attacks. On December 22, 2010, the Senate passed an amended version of the bill that reduces the bills cost to $4.3 billion over five years. A summary of the Senates changes can be found below. The bill, sponsored by New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Peter King (R-NY), with the support of the entire New York Congressional delegation, will now be sent to President Obama’s desk.

The President has said that he supports and will sign the legislation. The passage of H.R. 847 represents a victory for ailing 9/11 First Responders and Survivors who have waited more than nine years for the Federal Government to approve a comprehensive plan to deal with the public health disaster caused by the attacks.

To 9/11 Responders and Survivors who have suffered for so long: help is finally here. With this vote, Congress repaid a long-overdue debt and answered the emergency calls of thousands of ailing 9/11 First Responders and Survivors. This bipartisan compromise is a strong program that will save lives, said Maloney. I thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for their dedication to those who are sick or injured because of 9/11, I applaud Senators Gillibrand and Schumer for brokering the compromise reached today, and I remain eternally grateful to my friends and co-authors, Jerry Nadler and Peter King, and all our colleagues in the New York delegation.

Today’s victory is without a doubt the proudest moment of my 34-year career in government, said Nadler. Along with Carolyn Maloney, my staff and I have worked on this legislation for literally nine years. We have stood with First Responders and community Survivors through the numerous lows and battles over the course of years. We have grieved at the many losses due to 9/11-related illnesses and due to cold political odds and seemingly insurmountable hurdles. But, today, thanks to the work and patience of so many responders, survivors, elected officials, and our allies in disparate corners, we have achieved the sweetest of victories. And it comes not a moment too soon.

The plight of 9/11 Responders and Survivors is very serious and immediate. Thousands are sick and, until now, justice has seemed so far away. I am so proud that our government has done precisely what it is here for to take responsibility for its citizens after the ugliest of attacks against our nation.

Thanks goes out in particular to Congresswoman Maloney, Congressman King, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, John Feal, Manhattan's Community Board 1, my entire staff, and so many others who have done so much. This is a great victory for the heroes of September 11th, the firefighters, police officers and construction workers. Justice is finally being served.

A great day for America, said King. The Zadroga Act is historic, but not unprecedented, legislation. In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attacks, Congress passed the War Hazards Compensation Act of 1942, which provided health care and financial relief to civilians who helped recover the dead and salvage what remained of our Pacific fleet.

In passing the Zadroga Act, Congress has once again demonstrated that our nation will not abandon those harmed by an attack on our shores.

Fact Sheet on Bipartisan Agreement on 9/11 Health and Compensation Act: The terms of the Senate agreement adopt H.R. 847 with the following changes: Provide a total of $4.3 billion in funding for the health and compensation titles of the bill. Cap federal funding for the health program over five years at $1.5 billion (New York City will contribute 10% of the cost). Any funds not spent in the first five years may be carried over and expended in the sixth year of the program. Reopen the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for five years to file claims, with payments to be made over six years. Fund the VCF at $2.8 billion for six years, with $.8 billion available for payments in the first five years and $2.0 billion available for payment in year six. Claims will be paid in 2 installments, one payment in the first five years, and a second payment in the sixth year of the program. The pay for in the House-passed version of the bill has been replaced by a 2 percent fee on government procurement from foreign companies located in non-GPA countries and a one-year extension of H-B1 and L-1 Visa fees for outsourcing companies. These are estimated by CBO to collect $4.59 billion over the 10-year scoring period for the bill.

The bill is not only fully paid for, but will reduce the deficit by $450 million over the 10-year scoring period. Others changes made in the bill to address Republican concerns: Requiring that the Centers of Excellence report claims data to HHS so that costs and utilization of services can be fully monitored. Specifying the non-treatment services furnished by Centers of Excellence to be funded under the health program (e.g. outreach, social services, data collection, development of treatment protocols). Authorizing the World Trade Center Program Administrator to designate the Veterans Administration as a provider for WTC health services. Directing the Special Master to develop rules to implement the VCF within 180 days of passage of the legislation.

Unite In Peace is reaching out to First Responders who served with FDNY Firefighter David M. Weiss in the rescue effort on September 11th and to the Responders who stayed behind for months to assist in the recovery and clean-up effort.

We know you are now suffering . Thousands of men and women have already died as a result of their illnesses. Sadly, Red Tape, complicated regulations, and lack of awareness have become barriers to you receiving appropriate, timely, and affordable healthcare.

Many of you have reached your deductible and now paying out of pocket for your prescriptions and doctor appointments. Some of you no longer have health insurance. We know many of you are struggling financially.

We are here to help you and your families by raising funds and creating awareness regarding your critical health issues that you endured from the dust cloud, and on “The Pile" on September 11th, 2001. The deadly toxins that you were exposed to...pulverized concrete, asbestos, mercury, glass, and other harmful elements that are causing major Pulmonary Diseases, and Cancers like Leukemia are urgent issues that need to be addressed NOW!

Michele Little believes that if David were alive today he would be experiencing these health issues too, and he would be speaking out for those who cannot. "I am now David's voice", Little says.

Step to Heal will begin the process of offering help now by raising funds and creating awareness around this urgent issue. From the West to the East, San Diego will be the beginning footsteps in building the bridge of awareness.

TO THE REST OF US: We have a social responsibility! Our Responders need our help now. The solutions that lawsuits and legislation can provide will come too late for too many.