For Immediate Release: November 18, 2010

For more information contact:
Lou Gordon,
Director, BALCONY
212-219-7777
loug@balconynewyork.com

BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, today, Thursday, urged the United States Senate to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847, S. 1334). The bill, sponsored by New York Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Representative Peter King (R-NY), and Representative Michael McMahon (D-NY), passed the House of Representatives in September. Now a Senate version of the bill, S. 1334, sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), must be voted on.

BALCONY applauds the House of Representatives and in particular the New York Delegation for passing this critical legislation and now urges the Senate to follow suit by approving this long overdue measure. BALCONY has long been an advocate of 9/11 responders and others whose health was negatively affected by their proximity to Ground Zero. BALCONY will continue to advocate on behalf of individuals affected by 9/11 and support legislation that seeks to provide them with the medical and financial assistance they need and deserve.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Compensation Act would provide medical monitoring and treatment to World Trade Center responders and survivors (area workers, residents, volunteers, and students) who were exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero on 9/11 and in the aftermath. Additionally it would reopen the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to provide compensation for economic losses and harm as an alternative to the current litigation system. Finally it would provide liability protections for the WTC contractors and the City of New York from the more than 11,000 lawsuits filed by individuals exposed to toxins.

The serious impact of 9/11 on the health of New Yorkers was both immediate and long-term. Those affected include not only first responders and emergency personnel, but also schoolchildren and residents of the entire lower Manhattan region. Over 13,000 WTC responders are sick and receiving treatment. Nearly 53,000 responders are enrolled in medical monitoring, and approximately 71,000 individuals are enrolled in the WTC Health Registry, indicating that they were exposed to the toxins and that their health could be negatively impacted.

The toxins these individuals were exposed to have resulted in serious health complications including respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental health conditions.

The Zadroga Act’s $7.4 billion cost is fully paid-for through revenue offsets.

BALCONY urges its members to call or write their Senator and voice their support for H.R. 847, S. 1334.



BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, represents more than 1,000 New York businesses, labor unions, and trade associations. BALCONY seeks common ground in the public policy debate in New York to spur economic development through the adoption of business/union friendly, socially responsible common sense laws that maintain and improve the quality of life for working New Yorkers.