My Letter to Congress: H.R.847 James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010

I am writing as your constituent in the 14th Congressional district of Pennsylvania. As a firefighter and a Prehospital RN, I am asking you to support any additional legislation regarding adding cancer coverage to H.R.847 - James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. I am hoping you will support changes to this act to cover the health needs of the workers who gave so much during the weeks following the 9/11 tragedy. I am tracking this act using OpenCongress.org, the free public resource website for government transparency and accountability.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Bommer
Volunteer Firefighter
PreHospital RN

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Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14)

Dear Kathryn,

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Sincerely,

 

Pat Toomey

U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania

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Sincerely,
Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.

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Dear Ms. Bommer:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.

On June 24, 2009, Senator Kristen Gillibrand of New York introduced the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009. This legislation established the World Trade Center Health Program within the National Institute for Occupational Safety. It also allows emergency responders, cleanup workers and residents directly affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to receive medical monitoring and treatment benefits. I was proud to be a cosponsor of this important bill, which became law on January 2, 2011.

The $4.3 billion fund established by the Zadroga law will provide coverage for injuries and illnesses caused by the conditions at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11. The Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program is required to undertake periodic studies of medical evidence to determine whether certain types of cancer should be added to the official list of WTC-related health conditions. In July 2011, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health released its first such review, which concluded that there is inadequate scientific evidence linking cancer to toxic substances at Ground Zero.

Based on the results of this study, cancer is currently not covered by the World Trade Health Center Health Program. However, a recent study by the New York Fire Department found that the cancer rate among first responders who had been exposed to toxins at Ground Zero was 19 percent higher than the rate for the general population of firefighters. This has led to renewed calls for covering cancer under the WTC Health Program. The next official study by the WTC Health Program Administrator is planned for early 2012.

The heroes of 9/11 displayed enormous courage and selflessness in order to save as many lives as they could. These brave men and women are an inspiration, and deserve to be supported and honored. Ten years after that tragic day, we should again honor the victims and their sacrifices by renewing our commitment to unity and cooperation in order to face our common challenges.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.

If you have access to the Internet, I encourage you to visit my web site, http://casey.senate.gov. I invite you to use this online office as a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator

Dear Ms. Bommer:



Thank you for contacting me in support of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga
9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. I appreciate hearing from you
and welcome the opportunity to respond.



I am pleased that the James Zadroga 9/11 Act, of which I was a
cosponsor, was signed into law by President Obama on January 2, 2011.
This bill provides compensation through the September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund to any individual or personal representative of a
deceased individual who suffered physical harm or was killed as a
result of the September 11th attacks or the debris removal efforts
following the attacks. As our country continues to mourn the
devastating consequences of that tragic day, I believe that we must do
everything in our power to support and honor the first responders-those
brave men and women who risked their lives to rescue the victims of the
attacks. They have my deepest gratitude and respect.



Though I agree that the James Zadroga 9/11 Act could have been
stronger, I hope that this bill will help those affected by 9/11 to get
the care they need. It may interest you to know that the 2010 health
care reform bill that was signed into law included many provisions that
will aid Americans who were injured or became sick as a result of the
attack. These include increased coverage of cancer screenings, the
elimination of pre-existing condition claims that let insurers deny
coverage, and increased preventative care services. I am firmly
committed to doing everything in my power to support the victims of the
9/11 attacks.



Thank you again for contacting me with your support for H.R. 847.
Please don't hesitate to be in touch in the future if I may be of
assistance.


Sincerely,

Mike Doyle
Member of Congress

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