Disability Law

Zadroga 9/11 WTC Ground Zero First Responder Bill Ready for Passage

By Troy Rosasco

When I last posted on the prospects of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, I was urging at least one Republican Senator to step up to the plate and act like a true Statesman.  Well, it looks like the yet to be named Republican(s) is finally on board. The tortured history of the long overdue Zadroga 9/11 bill is almost over, and hopefully the Senate will pass this much needed legislation prior to Christmas. That is, unless Republican Senator Tom "Scrooge" Coburn gets in the way! (see his cruel opposition paper to the Zadroga Victims Compensation Bill here).

Once the bill is law, we can all start to pitch in to get the 9/11 WTC heroes  the just compensation they and their families deserve. The text of the most recent version of the Zadroga Bill (likely to be changed in regards to funding and offsets in the final version) can be read and printed out here.

A great deal of political credit is due to Senators Schumer and Gillebrand, and New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg. However, the real credit goes to these victims, many now dead, dying or chronically ill from unusual cancersand respiratory diseases, who dove into the rubble at Ground Zero after 9/11 to save lives without any concern for future compensation.  The grass roots efforts of the surviving WTC victims, their families and support organizations such as the FealGood Foundation to pass this bill is a testament to the American Spirit; we don't quit until the job is done.

Anyone with questions about their eligibility for compensation and health benefits under the new Zadroga Victims' Compensation Fund which will soon be created should feel free to call Troy Rosasco toll free at 1-877-693-2529 x123.

If the Zadroga 9/11 bill passes at this time of year,  the verse "Hark the Herald Angel Sings... God and some  "Republicans"  reconcile !" should be sung from the church pews.  Merry Christmas!    

Full post as published by The New York Disability Law Blog on December 21, 2010 (boomark / email).