Labor & Employment Law

House OKs 9/11 Health Bill, But Senate Action Uncertain

By Mike Hall

The U.S. House today passed the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847) to provide long-term medical care and monitoring for the first responders, recovery workers and others exposed  to the Ground Zero toxic mix of chemicals, jet fuel, asbestos, lead, glass fragments and other debris.

The bill passed 268 to 160, with 13 Republicans joining Democrats in support. Says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

Taking care of those who bravely answered the nation?s call on 9/11 transcends partisan politics and tests the integrity of those serving in Congress, and we thank the 251 Democrats and the 17 Republicans who voted in support of the bill. But, the vast majority of Republicans and business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, chose to protect the status quo rather than help our heroes. Working families will not forget that choice this November.

In July, House Republicans blocked the bill. The bill?s fate is uncertain because the Senate must approve it and Republicans have the votes to mount a filibuster and block the bill.  Also, both chambers will adjourn this week and not return until after the November elections.

There are nearly 60,000 people enrolled in a variety of health monitoring and treatment programs related to the Sept. 11 attacks. A new study by Mount Sinai Medical Center found the health problems of those who spent time in the toxic Ground Zero stew are more widespread and persistent than previously reported. Some 70 percent of the 10,000 workers tested between 2002 and 2004 now say they have new or worsened respiratory illnesses.

Four times as many firefighters and twice as many emergency medical service workers had below-normal lung function for their ages six to seven years after Sept. 11 as they did before the attacks.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on September 29, 2010 (boomark / email).