New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to sign legislation today to assure that people who returned to work in close proximity to Ground Zero during the critical period following the 9/11 terrorist attacks are informed that they could be eligible for health monitoring and federal benefits.
The measure requires business in lower Manhattan and northern Brooklyn with 50 or more employees to notify all those who came back to work between September 2001 and the end of May 2002 of their rights to register for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program, which provide monitoring and treatment for eligible individuals with WTC-related illnesses.
The workers include office workers, construction workers, students, teachers, retail workers, doormen and delivery people.
The legislation was passed unanimously in June and is now on Gov. Hochul’s desk.
Assemblyman Nader Sayegh said he sponsored the legislation after hearing that of the 400,000 civilians exposed to 9/11 toxins only a small percentage with qualifying medical conditions have registered. Yet, more than 80% of first responders have registered with the federal health and compensation programs.
“No one should be left to suffer from 9/11-related illness and be burdened with overwhelming medical bills when the federal resources are free and available to help them,” Sayegh said.
Senator Brian Kavanagh, whose district includes the World Trade Center site and is home to many 9/11 survivors, said there are many workers, including first responders, retail employees, cleanup workers, office workers, and others who were in the vicinity of the World Trade Center during and after the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks who may be experiencing WTC related illnesses and may be eligible for financial and healthcare benefits, but may not realize that they are.
James Shillitto, president of Utility Workers Union of America, said utility workers for ConEd and other providers were at the site in the immediate days following the attacks to restore power, natural gas, and steam systems in Lower Manhattan and are among those who need to be notified.
“As a person diagnosed with a 9/11 related illness and registered with the federal program, I understand the importance of this bill and the difference it can make in a person’s life,” he said.
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