9/11 Firefighters Suffering From Cancer Denied Health Care

This is a heartbreaking and infuriating story. You read it right: 9/11 firefighters suffering from cancer will not receive health benefits under the Zadroga bill.

Last January, President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, putting in place a $4.3 billion commitment to help ailing 9/11 responders and volunteers. Over 50,000 workers responded to the incident as they rescued survivors, recovered victims and cleaned or cleared the site and surrounding buildings.

A Bittersweet Battle And A Bittersweet Victory

From The New York Daily News:

“It was a bittersweet battle and this is a bittersweet victory,” said Joseph Zadroga, the father of James Zadroga, an NYPD detective who died of 9/11-related illnesses.

(….)

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan), one of the main House sponsors of the bill with Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan) and Peter King (R-L.I.), called the signing “a wonderful victory for 9/11 responders and survivors who have been waiting for help for nine long years.”

The bill “will save lives and meet our moral obligation to help those who rise to the defense of America in a time of war,” Maloney said.

Not So Fast…They’ve Changed Their Minds

A review of the limited evidence by John Howard of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in July led to the decision to initially exclude cancer from the Zadroga Act’s list of covered conditions.

But now, according to a new study conducted by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and published in The Lancet, firefighters who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, selflessly exposing themselves to the toxic dust that clouded Ground Zero, were 19 percent more likely to develop cancer over the subsequent seven years compared to their unexposed colleagues.

Among 900 Firefighters Studies Who Were Exposed, 263 Developed Cancer; Why Are They Not Covered?

From Huffington Post:

The findings from the largest post-9/11 study of cancer don’t come as news to many people who have been closely following the issue, including Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who co-sponsored the Zadroga Act. “Sadly, I’m not surprised by the Lancet study,” Rep. Maloney told The Huffington Post in an email. “The doctors who have been treating 9/11 responders and survivors have told me for years that they expect to see cancers caused by Ground Zero toxins.”

(….)

Collaborating with colleagues from New York City’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, FDNY researchers looked to a much larger source of data: nearly 10,000 male firefighters, all with health records dating back to well before September 11, 2001.

Among the 90 percent of the firefighters studied who were exposed, a total of 263 developed cancer.

The Numbers Could Be Even Greater

The researchers emphasized that many cancers, including mesothelioma and other malignancies related to the known toxins found at Ground Zero, can take decades to develop. And of course, the study already misses three years worth of cases that may have developed since 2008.

If we want to be worthy of the tear-filled tributes that will mark the 10th anniversary of this horrific day, we must do nothing less than provide complete health care coverage for all those firefighters who risked their lives on 9/11.

Take Action: Demand That The Zadroga Act Include Cancer In Its Coverage

If you agree with me, click here to sign our petition demanding that the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act include cancer in its coverage.

Shame on you politicians. Don’t you all receive full health care coverage?

9/11 Firefighters Denied Coverage For Cancer Treatment

Photo Credit: slagheap via Creative Commons

quick poll

vote now!

Loading poll...

no!
leaning no
leaning yes
yes!

no!
leaning no
leaning yes
yes!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Doria W.

12:45PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

Yes they all should receive health care. If they helped with 9/11 then they deserve to be helped. More USA bull to save money. Makes me sick. USA is so willing to help other countries but not willing to help their own people.

send a green star

Gloria W.

12:34PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

do our government really care for us????

Charles T.

4:51PM PDT on Sep 14, 2011

Use them and then loose them. A great case for the support of unions.

Linda M.

10:17PM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

Margaret - 14 months to see a doctor re uterine cancer? TOTAL BULLSHIT! This info is always 3rd, 4th or 5th hand. I worked in Canada as a nurse for 40 years so I know. Why would I defend something that is a bad system? I found a breast lump. Next day saw the MD. In 2 days had the mammogram & the result. This mammogram was in addition to the one I get every 2 years and they call me to remind me to make an appointment. Really sucks huh? These stories are disgusting and just plain malicious & sickening.

9:56PM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

USA, USA, USA, USA!!!!!
WE'RE NO 1, WE'RE NO !, WE'RE NO 1!!!!!!!
Oops.....forgot, you guys don't have Universal health care. Too busy pissing money away on your unjustified wars, tax breaks for the ridiculously wealthy, all the while praising God for living in the best country in the world. Yeah, right.
Interlopers from another country? Since when do only Americans have freedom of speech? Mind you the US is unique (special?) in that it is one of the only "civilized" nations who do not care for their own sick and dying unless they pay up front, heroes or otherwise.
Of course here will come the BS stories about "The best health care in the world". Sure, if you can afford it. Otherwise your ranking is in the low 30's (I believe after Costa Rica). Also I'm sure I'll hear all the BS stories about people dying because they have to wait for procedures. Crap. Urgent and emergent procedures .... no delay. Elective procedures, no problem if I wait a bit. At least I won't lose my house. In this regard the US DESERVES to be slammed. So just who is a pathetic fool?
I have used the system & paid it back by regaining my health & productivity. Sounds like a win/win to me!

Jacobo V.

2:40PM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

During the 9/11 broadcasts this group was not really addressed nor their plight! Today their brothers and sister fire/police are still on the line and are required to respond with every inch of their being. Step up America Stand up Media. God Bless

Bob P.

7:52AM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

Well how wrong is that?? Support these people for what they did for you on that day or any other day there services were required

Michael C.

10:58AM PDT on Sep 9, 2011

In the recent weeks, I have received numerous E-mails from victims of the aftermath of that self-inflicted would, known to you as 911. These rescue workers are not asking for a handout but a hand up, towards recovery from their long list of physical ailments.

As a member of AE911truth.org, along with several other organizations seeking to expose the truth about that fateful day, I would have hoped by now that these good people would have seen some relief.They should have realized some medical and financial help by now. God, it has been 10 years and they are now, completely forgotten.

Many of those to whom I have exchanged e-mails have had to endure cancers, respiratory ailments, their complaints are a witch's brew. Most have sought relief from every agency that at one time promised that they would not turn their backs on these, dare I say, Heros and yet, they must continue to suffer, they must continue to endure.

That said, it makes me wonder how well the multitudes of severely injured servicemen and women will fair. My thoughts go to the end of VietNam, we do not need to realize another era of Article 99's. They, the Vets, the ones that served America at the steps of those towers and those who bodies were sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve better.

What do you think?