Renewed push for Congress to pass 9/11 health bill

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- On the eve of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks, lawmakers, first responders, survivors and advocates are calling on Congress to pass a bill to ensure coverage for those impacted by 9/11 related health conditions.

Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are sponsors of the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act.

The bill would address a funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and ensure its adequate funding now and in the future.

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The goal is that every injured and ill 9/11 responder and survivor has access to the medical treatment they need and deserve for their 9/11 conditions.

The bill would also make minor corrections to the 2010 statute which established the WTCHP, supporters say.

And it would authorize the program to develop a research cohort to study the impact of the toxic exposures and psychological trauma on the more than 35,000 people who were children at the time of the attack and resided or attended school or daycare in the NYC disaster area in the aftermath of the attack.

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Eyewitness News reporter N.J. Burkett and photographer Marty Glembotzky rushed down to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. While shooting a standup right below the burning towers, the first tower began to collapse.

In memory of Don DiFranco, WABC engineer killed on 9/11

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CLICK HERE for more Eyewitness News reflections, photos and stories marking the anniversary of 9/11

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