For Extended Treatment
Push Federal Bills For 9/11 Workers

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

Two bills designed to help those who are suffering from 9/11-related health effects were introduced in Congress Sept. 7.

JERROLD NADLER: Need long-term approach.

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who represents lower Manhattan, held a news conference at Ground Zero to talk about the 9/11 Comprehensive Health Benefits Act a few hours before bringing it to Congress. The bill seeks to grant residents and first-responders access to long-term treatment through Federally-funded programs.

Sen. Hillary Clinton introduced similar legislation to the Senate.

'Proved What We Knew'

Congressman Nadler said that Mt. Sinai Hospital's 9/11 health study released Sept. 4 "confirmed what we've known for a long time." The report found that 70 percent of the more-than 9,000 first-responders who participated in the program are suffering adverse health effects from their time at Ground Zero.

"The 9/11 Comprehensive Health Benefits Act provides for a sensible, easy-to-access, and cost-effective way to give medical treatment to all individuals with 9/11-related illnesses," Mr. Nadler said. "The legislation establishes a structure to support the coordination of screening, monitoring, treatment, and research with a state-of-the-art clinic downtown."

PETER L. GORMAN: Both bills needed.

Mr. Nadler's legislation would extend Medicare benefits to individuals with mental or physical health problems associated with terrorist attacks. All costs for treatment, such as co-pays, premiums and deductibles would be covered, and those with private insurance could get supplemental coverage to ensure complete care.

Peter L. Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers' Association, said his organization strongly supported the bill.

'They Lied to Us'

"In the days and weeks after 9/11, hundreds of workers and residents came back to lower Manhattan because they were asked to support the economy," he said. "And then the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lied to them [about air quality]. Even among our members, who have health insurance, some have difficulty meeting the bills."

The legislation also seeks to establish a consortium of institutions, practitioners and community-based organizations to act as the Federal Government's resource center for treatment and research of 9/11 health conditions.

Some of the initiatives contained within Mr. Nadler's plan were similar to those laid out by Mayor Bloomberg earlier in the week at a news conference announcing his plan for a city response to 9/11 health problems. But even with the recently-announced support of the Bloomberg administration, Mr. Nadler said Federal funding was necessary.

"There's still no way for the 9/11-affected populations to receive the comprehensive, long-term health care treatment they need," he commented, "because many of the illnesses will be late-onset and chronic."

Although it was too early to attach a fiscal note to his bill, Mr. Nadler said its programs would come at no additional cost to the city or state.