9/11 Responders Health & Compensation Act

The 9/11 Responders Health and Compensation Act, which was passed in January 2011, provides medical treatment, monitoring and research for those who were involved in responding to the September 11, 2001 New York City terrorist attacks. The act, officially titled the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, was named after one of the first New York Police Department officials who died due to health effects of the terrorist attacks.

Medical Monitoring and Treatment

• The Zadroga Act allows those who responded to or were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attack to receive free medical monitoring and treatment of any 9/11 illness the monitoring reveals. In addition to volunteers and emergency workers, the bill also allows those who lived, worked and studied near the attacks to file for benefits. While treatment is available for physical maladies nationwide, New York City residents are also eligible for mental health treatment.

Research & Compensation

• In addition to funding medical treatment for those affected by 9/11, the bill also sanctions research into 9/11 health-related concerns and compensation for victims, responders and their families. According to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, the bill allows individuals previously unable to file for compensation a second chance, as well as offering compensation for those who volunteered help days after the disaster occurred.

Cost

• Originally written to cost $7.4 billion, the bill was passed with a price tag of $4.3 billion. According to the New York Daily News, $1.5 billion was allotted for treating breathing problems, while $2.8 billion was slated to cover compensation costs.

Controversy

• According to some, the Zadroga bill took too long to pass, and when it did pass, the signing ceremony was too reserved, something that some saw as disrespectful to 9/11 responders. Others saw the act as too costly and questioned the effectiveness of its management.