Law to Repay 9/11 Responders Expires But Illnesses Don’t, Supporters Say

By ULRIK NARCISSE

Retired New York City Police Department Detective George Taylor says he expects a lifetime of doctor’s visits and treatment for the cancer that enveloped his right vocal cord and resulted in the removal of his voice box.

Now, 9/11 first responders and state representatives are asking legislative representatives to provide them with a lifetime of health coverage.

“I don’t have vocal cords right now, and I breathe through a hole in my neck,” said Taylor, who served as a first responder during the attacks. “My illness doesn’t come with an expiration date, and it’s something I’ll have to deal with for the rest of my life,” he continued. “A lifetime of doctor visits, a lifetime of speech language pathology.”

“But it’s not just me,” Taylor added.“Pass this bill, indefinitely. Not just for the people that are getting sick, but for their families also.”

Taylor’s comments came during a news conference at Bay Ridge’s Bravo Volunteer Ambulance Service station, one of many conferences coordinated in New York City over past months where 9/11 survivors, first responders and their families voiced personal experiences with the illnesses directly related to their work during the days and hours following the terrorist attacks, and called for continued and permanent support from government provisions.

“We’re putting faces on who we’re talking about,” said PBA President Pat Lynch, amid statements from sick responders and the families of those who had died as a result of a 9/11 related ailments.

Previously, medical assistance for first responders was provided through the Zadroga Act, but the bill was allowed to expire in late September. The bill provided 9/11 first responders compensation for illnesses attributed to harmful particles they were exposed to during the attacks. Survivors and state legislators have demanded the bill’s permanent renewal.

Several separate bills before Congress, although at least one slashes 60 percent of funding, and two only temporarily extend coverage and compensation.

Another bill introduced by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney seeks to permanently and fully extend compensation A press release from Maloney’s office,says the bill has bipartisan support from 241 House cosponsors, and has been introduced to the Senate by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.

“We’ve got to get extended until the duration of these first responders health is improved or unfortunately until they pass away,” said Joe Zadroga, father of late New York police officer James Zadroga, after whom the bill was named.

According to Detectives Endowment Association President Mike Palladino, so far, at least 37 police detectives have died due to 9/11 related illnesses.

“There are plenty of others that are destined for a bout with 9/11 illnesses, but they are not yet symptomatic,” said Palladino. “If it’s not passed, what will be created is two classes of first responders — the haves, and the have-nots. Those who worked at Ground Zero and the related areas, got sick early, and they have received coverage and compensation from the Zadroga Bill.

“If we do not pass this bill, then the have-nots will be created, those first responders who worked at Ground Zero that made the same sacrifices, and for some reason did not get sick early, they got sick later — or maybe they’re not sick yet,” he continued. “If this bill is not passed, they will not have the compensation, and they will not have the coverage.”