Date Added: 7/20/2010
Reference: New Jersey 101.5 FM

Nearly nine years after working in the toxic air that floated above the destroyed World Trade Center, filling their lungs and blood with poisons that they say have caused myriad health problems, 9/11 rescue and recovery workers are touting an expected vote in the U.S House on the first piece of legislation that would provide long term health care and compensation.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act is expected to be passed by the House of Representatives before its August recess, named after the NYPD detective and Little Egg Harbor Township resident whom a New Jersey coroner said died from 9/11-related health problems, a finding disputed by a New York City medical examiner.

"This is the farthest we have gone. I myself am ecstatic that we are finally, finally getting this bill to the floor," said Charles Giles, a retired EMT who resides in Barnegat. Giles said he was nearly buried in the collapse of the north tower and now suffers from 17 diagnosed illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

"We gave our hearts and our souls on 9/11 and the days and months thereafter. Now we are sick and dying," Giles said.

The legislation would appropriate $7.7 billion over the next decade to pay 9/11 recovery workers financial compensation and health care. The workers wanted $10 billion, but Giles said they are satisfied with Congress's proposed funding, which will be paid for by taxing foreign companies.

"It will reopen the victims' compensation act for anyone who suffered economic losses. For example, I lost my house," Giles said. "It is a great start. We've been fighting this for six years. It is about time that Congress is going to take care of us."

New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone (D), whose committee sent the legislation to the full House for a floor vote, said the proposed funding should be adequate to meet the recovery workers' needs.

"A lot of my colleagues, particularly the Republicans, want to make sure the funding was paid for. In other words, they just don't want to increase the deficit," he said. "If you talk about an entitlement, that is forever. So the bill the way it is set up now provides for funding for ten years… and it will be fully paid for."

Pallone said he expects near unanimous support for the legislation that will provide for critically needed health care.

"A lot of the people that had diseases and disorders that came from 9/11 can't just go to a regular hospital or a regular doctor. They need the specialized care that is provided at these clinics," he said, referring to special clinics in New York and New Jersey that are part of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Fund.

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