Reps. Maloney and Nadler: Energy & Commerce Republicans discussion draft to extend World Trade Center Health Program is deeply flawed
Statement
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY12) and Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY10) today released the following statement in reaction to a discussion draft released by Energy and Commerce Republicans to provide a temporary 5-year extension of the World Trade Center Health Program, which was established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act:
"For the past 14 years we have devoted our time and energy to protecting the health and well-being of the heroes of September 11, 2001. Five years ago, along with our colleague from New York, Rep. Peter King, we were proud to pass the James Zadroga Act on behalf of 9/11 first responders and survivors. We knew at the time that five years would never be adequate to answer the sacrifices of those heroes. That is why, this year, together with countless advocacy organizations, we authored legislation to make these programs permanent and ensure that no one who risked everything that fateful day would be forgotten.
"A bill to permanently extend and fully fund the health and compensation programs for injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors currently has 237 bipartisan cosponsors in the House and 61 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate.
"In June, Energy and Commerce held a hearing during which Chairman Upton and Subcommittee Chairman Pitts offered their support for the effort to reauthorize the bill. However, the new discussion draft released today falls woefully short of what is needed to meet our commitments to 9/11 heroes.
"The bill's 5-year time frame is wholly insufficient, its proposed funding levels fall below what is workable for the World Trade Center Health Program, and it is paid for with a poison-pill provision that would cut Medicare. The draft goes against the spirit of bipartisanship that has been a hallmark of this reauthorization effort.
"We should not force the sick and injured heroes of 9/11 to beg for their healthcare every five years. A majority of Congress supports a permanent bill, and we are hopeful that while discussing the draft released by Energy and Commerce today we find a way to ensure that temporary extensions are unnecessary."
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