Government will fund care for 50 types of cancers linked to 9/11 under Zadroga Act

In this Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 file photo, pedestrians flee the dust-filled area surrounding the World Trade Center following a terrorist attack on the New York landmark.

/ Amy Sancetta

(CBS/AP) The U.S. government announced it will pay health care costs for 50 types of cancer that may have developed in people who worked at ground zero in New York. The conditions were added to an updated list of World Trade Center-related illnesses covered under a Sept. 11 health program.

Democratic New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer issued a statement with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on the change Monday.

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"It took too long, but the right thing is finally being done for 9/11 heroes,"Sen. Charles Schumer said in a statement to CBS New York station WCBS.

In June, officials at NIOSH had said in an administrative filing that it favored a major expansion of the Zadroga act to include people with the different cancer types that span 14 broad categories of the disease. The decision followed a March recommendation by an advisory committee made up of doctors, union officials and community health advocates, who recommended that cancer be added to the $4.3 billion program. Previously, the aid only covered people with a short list of mostly less-serious ailments, including asthma, acid reflux disease and chronic sinus irritation.

"It's a great decision for anybody suffering from cancer," Sean Riordan, an attorney who represents hundreds of rescue workers who developed cancer sine working at ground zero, told WCBS.

Following the 9/11 attacks, first-responders and nearby residents and workers were subject to high levels of dust and smoke filled with harmful substances like jet fuel, asbestos and other dangerous chemicals.

Scientists say there's little research to prove exposure to toxic dust from the destroyed Twin Towers caused even one kind of cancer. But the advisory panel said it was plausible that first responders and others who were exposed to the toxic dust might get cancer.

Also last September, a comprehensive study in The Lancet found firefighters working at the World Trade Center had 10 percent more cancers than the general public and 19 percent more than firefighters who weren't involved with 9/11.

Dr. David Prezant, chief medical officer of FDNY, and the lead study author of the Lancet report told the CBS Evening News at the time that the association was moderately strong.

"The biggest surprise was that cancer increased," Prezant said at the time. "But that increase is real and now we need to address it."

According to CBS New York, first responder advocates call the announcement a good first step but are concerned there won't be enough funds to cover thousands of others who may potentially be diagnosed with cancer in the future.

"There simple isn't enough money," attorney Michael Barasch told the station. "There are so many rescue workers with debilitating diseases and they're simply not going to get a fair amount."

[venusvegasvada]

That's good.

What about those in Iraq and Afghanistan that work next to open burn pits where they burn everything- plastics, garbage, you name it. The winds blow the toxic clouds and dust across the base and everyone breaths that crap. It's about the closest thing I can think of that would be comparable to what was burning at ground zero.

Will the Govt. step up and recognize those people's exposure too?

[magnumdr]

This Country is full of cancer fanatics. Everything is going to cause cancer before we are all done with these studies. Get a life and get over it. We are all going to die one day so face up to the reality of life!

[parisdakar]

Don't the firemen and medical responders have health insurance? And with no proof that cancer was caused by the dust? No wonder our government is broke.

[jtdev1]

Why is the Government covering the cost??? Shouldn't the health insurance company of these people be paying? After all, isn't that what health insurance is for?

So what, the government is not protecting the profits of the health insurance companies?

[fissionbombs]

Everyone needs to learn that 9/11 was the American regime nuking its own largest city, and it created the China Syndrome which then poisoned thousands of responders and millions of NY residents. Google "China Syndrome Aftermath"

[guyfrompa46]

So ladies and gentleman here we have another moron who just can't seem to get enough attention.

[freds123]

There was no asbestos in the newly completed towers.They did initially use asbestos to aprox the tenth floor of the first tower during construction.At a great loss of time and expense it was removed because of the new warnings at the time.The same book I read also mentioned the hard to believe reason a concrete core was shelved.

[arkajun-2009]

"But the advisory panel said it was plausible that first responders and others who were exposed to the toxic dust might get cancer."

About 10 years ago, I inhaled some soot from a passing fire truck. Where's my money? I might get cancer. (Doesn't matter that I smoke 2 packs a day)

How did my tax money get involved in the health care of people who live in New York? Were not the towers privately owned. Were not the airliners privately owned. Don't the 1st responders belong to a union that is supposed to take care of them? Insurance companies are supposed to pay (although an "act of war" gets them off the hook.)

We are already paying for the medical care of the residents of Bikini Atoll for popping a nuke on their island in 1954. We promised them free health care for 5 generations. Is this what is going to happen in New York.

I am as Patriotic as the next guy, but enough is enough. Just sucking the "hope and change" we have left in our pockets.

[freeamerica31]

This is New Yorks problem. It's just another way for NY to get more taxpayer money vice taking care of their own. Next thing you'll know they'll want Federal Pensions.

This is not a Federal Issue but a City, County and State issue. NY raise your taxes again since you don't know how to control your Politicians, Wall Streeters and Unions.

[sallychicago]

Donna Summer believed she contracted cancer because of 9/11...wonder if her family will get reimbursement?

But I agree, this is NY's problem. This isn't the nation's problem, and I dont' know how the Fed govt believes it should pay for their care. Are the people in the Pentagon asking for health care help?

[smarterthanu22]

When are the Vietnam veterans and their widows going to get something from the government for being sprayed with Agent Orange by American places during the war 40 some years ago? I guess because they are veterans they don't suffer and die from chemically induced cancer.

[freeamerica31]

I agree 100%. You served and got the shaft.

NY City/State is just trying to steal money from the federal taxpayers for their problems.

[sallychicago]

I agree.