by KATHLEEN LUCADAMO
Lawmakers and firefighters rallied near Ground Zero Saturday to push for treatment centers for World Trade Center responders who live outside of New York - a program that is in jeopardy.
The feds called off the search last week for a contractor to process medical reimbursements for those responders, a key step in establishing clinics around the country for workers who fell ill after toiling at the toxic site.
Officials said it was canceled because bidders were confused by program requirements and because cost estimates had ballooned.
But local lawmakers fear the move shows a lack of commitment by the White House.
"The feds are still being dragged to the table to help out 9/11 responders. I think they should be leading the way instead of stepping in the way," said Rep. Vito Fossella (R-S.I./Brooklyn).
Fossella was joined by fellow Congress members Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) and Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan) and by the firefighters union in urging the Department of Health and Human Services to reverse its decision.
"It smells badly that it is being canceled because of conflicting reasons," said Fossella, adding the HHS had once called the program essential to help ailing 9/11 responders.
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