Legislation recently introduced in Congress that would establish a new benefits program for essential workers impacted by the coronavirus would also extend to certain federal workers who have been on the job during the pandemic. The Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act (H.R. 2020) would provide certain benefits to essential workers – and family members who reside with an essential worker – who become infected with Covid-19 and suffer economic loss as a result. Although it is…

Following the attacks of 9/11, thousands of rescue and recovery workers were exposed to a wide range of toxins that are known to cause adverse health effects, including a variety of cancers. A new study shows that 12 years after exposure, there is a statistically significant elevation of cancer incidence among 9/11 first responders. The study, titled “Cancer in General Responders Participating in World Trade Center Health Programs, 2003-2013,” was published in…

While the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on veterans are well-known and widely documented, its effects on the general population are less clear. A new study, titled “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and the Association With Overweight, Obesity, and Weight Change Among Individuals Exposed to the World Trade Center Disaster, 2003-2016,” has established a link between PTSD sufferers exposed to the 9/11 disaster and obesity. The study was published in May 2020…

We wanted to share the notice below from the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum regarding their Digital Commemorative Ceremony on Saturday, May 30, at 11:00. Each year on May 30, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum marks the anniversary of the formal end of the nine-month recovery operations at Ground Zero with a commemoration. Together, we honor the courage and sacrifice of all 9/11 rescue, recovery, and relief workers, as well as survivors and members of…

The Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act for Essential Workers Introduced On Thursday, a bipartisan group of federal legislators unveiled the “Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act,” which would establish a compensation fund for essential workers modeled after the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The sponsors of the bill–Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Representative Peter King (R-NY), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)–announced during a video conference their intent to introduce the legislation. The names…

In our last report on the number of individuals enrolled in the WTC Health Program with cancer diagnoses in 2018, the number stood at 9,795. This number included Ground Zero responders, downtown residents, workers, and students. According to the WTC Health Program’s most recent report (December 2019), that number has now grown to 16,045 — a staggering 63.8% increase in just over two years. This follows our previously-reported increase of 3,800% between 2013 and 2018.…

The WTC Health Program has issued an update to enrollees regarding its efforts to meet their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Most importantly, the program notes that there are no processing delays for WTC Health Program enrollments, certifications, or claims at this time. It further advises that enrollees should keep upcoming monitoring and treatment appointments, unless advised not to by the enrollee’s doctor. The WTC Health Program is continuing to provide care to enrollees through…