Federal Budget Bill Offers 9/11 Health Funding

By ARI PAUL

The 2008 Federal omnibus spending bill President Bush signed last week included funding for health programs aiding Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers.

MAYOR BLOOMBERG: Feds finally do their part.

"Now up to $108 million in Federal money can go to support the three centers of excellence for rescue workers and Lower Manhattan residents that were identified by my administration's report Addressing the Health Impacts of 9/11," Mayor Bloomberg said Dec. 27 in a statement. "For the first time, this includes Federal money for monitoring and treatment for residents and workers who were not first-responders but were still impacted by the attacks."

He continued, "Today's funding is in addition to the $50 million provided in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill that was signed into law earlier this year. I am pleased that the Federal Government is recognizing its responsibility to 9/11 first responders and area residents and workers. The World Trade Center attacks were attacks on the nation; it is only appropriate that the Federal Government do its share to help those who sacrificed in our time of need. I will continue to work with the New York delegation and the rest of the Congress to provide a consistent stream of funding over the long term for the monitoring and treatment of all those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks."