Bill Supporting Medical Care for 9/11 First Responders Gaining Ground in Congress

USA Today reports that support to renew the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides “medical care to rescue workers and other first responders who became ill as a result of their work at Ground Zero” is growing among a bipartisan coalition in Congress.

The legislation is sponsored by New York Democrats Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, along with 223 House and 57 Senate co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle.

Sadly, many of the first responders at Ground Zero were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers.

Mesothelioma is among cancers linked to the toxic air workers breathed in around the Ground Zero debris field. The World Trade Center Health program found mesothelioma typically develops 11 years after exposure to mixed forms of asbestos, but other studies have found 96% of cases developed at least 20 years after exposure and 33% took 40 years to develop. As a result, supporters of the Ground Zero health legislation say the 2001 attacks will claim many new victims in the coming years.

Baron & Budd stands with our first responder heroes and all those who’ve been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma. We proudly support the permanent renewal of the James Zadroga Act.

USA Today: 9/11 bill to aid Ground Zero workers rapidly gaining support in Congress