New York lawmakers in Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — introduced legislation Thursday to make funding for the World Trade Center Health Program permanent. 

“It’s absolutely insane that we're still here fighting for what heroes deserve,” Nassau County Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, one of those advocating for the bill, said.

The program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment for more than 130,000 9/11 first responders and survivors, faces a funding shortfall in a matter of years, due to costs exceeding projections.

What You Need To Know

  • The World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment for more than 130,000 9/11 first responders and survivors, faces a funding shortfall in a matter of years, due to costs exceeding projections

  • A new bill, introduced by New York lawmakers with bipartisan backing, would ensure funding is made permanent and available for the life of the program through 2090
  • “For these survivors and families, the anxiety of not knowing it's going to be there is too much to bear,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is spearheading the bill

By 2028, without action by Congress, services for those already in the program could be cut and new enrollees would be turned away. 

New York’s senators, both Democrats, say a fix is needed to ensure everyone gets the help they need, including those not yet experiencing a 9/11-related illness.

“For these survivors and families, the anxiety of not knowing it's going to be there is too much to bear,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is spearheading the bill.

“Even if your cancer showed up 20 years later, we're not going to leave you high and dry,” Sen. Chuck Schumer said. 

The bill, which has bipartisan backing, would ensure the funding is available for the life of the program through 2090.

Gillibrand is the lead sponsor of the legislation in the Senate, while Long Island Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino is the lead sponsor in the House.

Phil Alvarez was one of those present Thursday on Capitol Hill for the bill’s unveiling. His brother, Luis, worked as an NYPD detective on 9/11. 

In 2019, Luis testified before Congress about the need to help 9/11 first responders. Just weeks later, he died after a long battle with cancer. 

Alvarez said his brother would be pleased by the possibility of the health program’s funding becoming permanent. 

“He would be happy to see that his brothers and sisters don't have to keep coming down to Washington, D.C., wearing oxygen tanks and wheelchairs, dying of different diseases, because they chose to run in when everybody else was running out,” he said.

Gillibrand is adamant she wants to get this bill done as soon as possible. She argues Schumer’s leadership in the Senate should help its chances in that chamber. 

Meanwhile, New York Republicans in the House told Spectrum News NY1 they have made it plain to Speaker Mike Johnson this is critically important to them.