WTC health program marks first anniversary

More than 60,000 people have begun receiving medical and other benefits as a result of illnesses connected to the World Trade Center cleanup. That's among the achievements cited by a government official in July.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act provides federal monies to responders to the attacks in New York City. The head of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently reflected on the program's one-year anniversary July 1 and what the future holds.

"After opening our doors one year ago, we have made a lot of progress in our ability to respond to the needs of our members," said Dr. John Howard. "The WTC Health Program is a unique government program that provides medical evaluation and treatment to eligible 9/11 responders and survivors."

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Among the other achievements Howard cited:

The Stony Brook Medical Center opened a clinic in Brooklyn to serve 9/11 responders.
A funding announcement for outreach and education cooperative agreements was recently sent out.
The WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee met three times, ultimately recommending the addition of cancer to the list of covered health conditions.

Howard said officials will soon establish eligibility criteria for Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., responders. The program also will be expanded "so that through the nationwide network of providers both responders and survivors who live outside the New York City metropolitan area can receive monitoring and treatment benefits near to where they live," Howard said.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

August 9, 2012

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