In a notable display of bipartisanship, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has taken on the role of co-leader for a growing coalition of attorneys general. The coalition is urging Congress to act swiftly to address the financial challenges facing the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). Skrmetti, alongside a diverse group of officials, is calling on national leaders to ensure the future of the program, which serves individuals and families affected by the September 11, 2001 tragedy.
The urgency arises from a critical funding shortfall expected to occur as soon as next year, as highlighted by the Tennessee Attorney General's office. In discussing American heroism, Skrmetti references FBI agent Tracey Harris Branch, whose post-9/11 sacrifices represent the service of many others like her. "They worked in hazardous conditions and continue to face medical risks decades later. We owe it to every one of them to have their backs," asserted Skrmetti.
Since its inception under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, the WTCHP has played a critical role in providing care for those dealing with 9/11-related health conditions—a number exceeding 135,000 Americans to date. Through free medical services, monitoring, and treatment, the program caters to a wide array of those affected: survivors, first responders, residents, office workers, and those involved in rescue and cleanup operations. Despite previous bipartisan support and reauthorizations in 2015 and 2019, the financial stability of the WTCHP is now at risk of a potential shortfall, as highlighted by the attorneys general urging Congress to take action.
The campaign for support is not taking a passive approach; it demands decisive legislative action. The coalition warns that without prompt action from Congress, thousands could lose access to essential health care. Advocates for the continuation of this vital government program are united in seeking more than a temporary solution—they are calling for a guarantee that the WTCHP will be strong enough to support not only current claimants but also future ones, through its authorized end date in 2090.
The calls for action have united attorneys general from across the country, spanning regions from American Samoa to Wyoming, and from densely populated coastal areas to remote prairies.
