by ARI PAUL
A City Council delegation led by Speaker Christine C. Quinn met with New York's Congressional delegation Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 in Washington, D.C. to promote the Council's Federal agenda, which highlighted legislation to improve health-care access for 9/11 recovery workers.
The Council members also met with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had visited the city the previous week.
To Benefit 9/11 Workers
In particular, the delegation urged the passage of 9/11-related health-care bills. One called the 9/11 Heroes Health Improvement Act would grant $1.9 billion in Federal aid to the 40,000 workers who participated in the Ground Zero recovery and rescue efforts. The bill would set up avenues to monitor and track health treatment for these workers.
"Additionally, we urge Congress to enact the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which expands coverage to all of those with the need to be medically monitored and treated, including residents, area workers and students, and the thousands of people who came from across the country and courageously responded to the call for assistance in the rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy," Speaker Quinn said in a letter outlining the Council's agenda to New York's Congressional delegation.
The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would also re-open the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. U.S. Reps. Vito Fossella, Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler introduced the measure. The Bloomberg administration also supports the legislation.
'Hoping They Act'
"This is probably the broadest and furthest-reaching," Council spokesman Anthony Hogrebe said in a Sept. 19 phone interview. "The current Congressional session is starting to draw to a close, so we're hopeful that there'll be some strong movement before the end of the session."
Tom Eppinger, president of the Uniformed EMS Officers Union Local 3621 of District Council 37, welcomed the 9/11 Health Compensation Act with cautious optimism.
"We appreciate the hard work of the Federal representatives," said Mr. Eppinger. "And we're going to work with them."
The Council's Federal agenda also focused on legislation to generate affordable housing and expanding health insurance coverage for children.
"The recently elected Democratic majority gives us an unprecedented opportunity to work with Congress on the kinds of legislation that New Yorkers so desperately need," Speaker Quinn said in a statement. "And by making September 11 health-care funding the centerpiece of our agenda, we are sending a clear message that the needs of our first responders are of paramount concern to all New Yorkers. The Federal Government must fulfill its responsibility by passing this crucial legislation."
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