In an urgent call to Congress, Attorney General Letitia James, leading a coalition of 38 other attorneys general, has demanded immediate action to safeguard the future of the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). This program acts as a critical support system for over 135,000 individuals affected by the tragedies of 9/11. The official statement by the Office of the Attorney General issued yesterday, outlines a stark future where, without intervention, funding deficits could strip these responders and survivors of key medical services.
Since its inception under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, WTCHP has offered not only medical treatment but also vital monitoring and care for a diverse group across America. These include first responders, survivors and even residents in the vicinity of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and near the Shanksville crash site. As Attorney General James points out, the program is facing a significant shortfall in funding which could trigger denial of care to thousands, as early as next year. This challenge arises despite the program having been reauthorized with resounding bipartisan approval in 2015 and 2019.
One of the core issues highlighted by the attorneys general is the mounting demand for specialized care, as more individuals are diagnosed with 9/11-related health conditions year-over-year. Approximately 400,000 people were exposed to toxic substances following the collapse of the Twin Towers, yet only about a third are currently enrolled in WTCHP. As mentioned in a recent letter, the need for sustained funding is critical, lest we face burgeoning waitlists and potential service cutbacks.
The attorneys general, firmly backing Attorney General James, are pressing Congress to pass legislation that will bridge the existing funding gap and offer the WTCHP the financial stability it desperately requires. "We owe it to these heroes to keep our promise to them," said Attorney General James, as detailed in the press release. Her stance and the efforts of her peers signal a definitive consensus among state legal representatives: the health of 9/11 heroes hinges on Congressional action.
This coalition-backed initiative is the most recent in a series of actions by Attorney General James aimed at upholding the integrity of the WTCHP. Efforts have included hosting a Community Impact hearing with Tom Hart, President of the Citizens for The Extension of the James Zadroga Act, and taking legal action to prevent the depletion of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services resources, which would impact the WTCHP.
