James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
| Company type | United States federal statute |
|---|---|
| Industry | Healthcare, Compensation |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Senator Bob Menendez, Representative Carolyn Maloney |
| Fate | Reauthorized in 2015, ongoing |
Area served | United States |
Key people | James Zadroga (namesake), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Carolyn Maloney, President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump |
| Products | Medical monitoring and treatment programs for 9/11-related health conditions |
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (; ) is a United States federal statute designed to offer medical monitoring and assistance to first responders, volunteers, and survivors affected by the September 11 attacks. Named in honor of James Zadroga, a NYPD officer whose death was attributed to health complications from exposure at the World Trade Center, this legislation finances a healthcare initiative that provides treatment for ailments related to 9/11.
Originally introduced by Senator Bob Menendez and Representative Carolyn Maloney, the bill did not pass in 2006. A reworked version succeeded in both the House and Senate in 2010, with President Barack Obama signing it into law in early 2011. The act was renewed in 2015, extending its provisions through the year 2090. The current iteration, supported by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Carolyn Maloney, received presidential approval from President Donald Trump.
History
In New York State, Governor George Pataki enacted legislation broadening benefits for those who responded to the 9/11 attacks. Concurrently, multiple congressional proposals sought to establish healthcare services for responders and survivors of 9/11. On February 2, 2005, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney introduced the Remember 9/11 Health Act; however, it stalled during committee review. In 2006, Senator Hillary Clinton proposed a $1.9 billion program aimed at treating illnesses connected to Ground Zero exposure.
February 2009 saw Maloney reintroduce the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which eventually passed after extensive political negotiations. The House approved its version in September 2010, with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg advocating for Senate backing. Despite this support, a December 2010 filibuster led by Senate Republicans halted progress due to concerns about its $7.4 billion price tag and financing through excise taxes on imported goods—measures some argued conflicted with international tax agreements. Additional opposition stemmed from worries over expanding healthcare entitlements and reopening the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Many Republicans linked their support for the act to extending Bush-era tax cuts, complicating legislative consensus.
On December 16, 2010, comedian Jon Stewart dedicated an episode of The Daily Show to championing the Zadroga Act. He featured interviews with affected first responders and Republican Mike Huckabee, criticizing the media's limited coverage and boosting public and political engagement. Stewart’s advocacy earned commendations from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and media outlets such as The New York Times, which compared his efforts to those of Edward R. Murrow. Mayor Bloomberg acknowledged Stewart’s influence as crucial in finalizing the legislation.
On December 19, 2010, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand introduced an updated $6.2 billion proposal funded partly by closing corporate tax loopholes and implementing a selective excise tax on foreign goods exempting certain trade partners. Congress passed the finalized bill on December 22, allocating $4.2 billion toward the program; President Barack Obama signed it on January 2, 2011. This law created the World Trade Center Health Program, superseding previous medical initiatives while offering treatment and benefits for responders and survivors.
The Zadroga Act lapsed on October 1, 2015. Stewart actively lobbied alongside first responders for its renewal on Capitol Hill; it was subsequently extended in December 2015 with coverage guaranteed for seventy-five years.
In February 2019, funding shortages led to reductions of up to seventy percent in pending claims under the Victim Compensation Fund. On June 11, Jon Stewart appeared before the House Judiciary Committee urging increased appropriations:
The following day, the Committee unanimously approved legislation to permanently renew the fund.
Impact
In 2008, the National Response Team launched a collaborative initiative involving multiple agencies to create protocols aimed at safeguarding the health of emergency personnel during disaster situations. This effort culminated in the 2012 release of the Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance framework.
The legislation designated $4.2 billion to establish the World Trade Center Health Program, which offers diagnostic services and treatment for chronic health conditions stemming from the 9/11 attacks. This program succeeded earlier efforts such as the Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the WTC Environmental Health Center program. Under the Zadroga Act, the WTC Health Program was required to commence distribution of medical benefits beginning July 1, 2011.
Reauthorization
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act was enacted on December 18, 2015, as a component of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, ensuring continued medical support for eligible individuals until the year 2090.
Missing funds
Beginning in 2016, the Treasury Department withheld financial disbursements intended for the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program established by the Zadroga Act. Instead, New York City redirected these monies to cover obligations to the Department of Health and Human Services, deviating from their original purpose. By 2020, roughly $3.7 million had been diverted away from the FDNY program.