9/11 rescue workers get expanded benefits in N.Y.
From Rossana Shokrian CNN
Tuesday, August 15, 2006; Posted: 2:25 p.m. EDT (18:25 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Three bills signed by New York Gov. George Pataki expand health and death benefits to 9/11 rescue workers who became sick or have died in the nearly five years since the attacks on the World Trade Center.
One of the laws, all of which Pataki signed Monday, gives families of those who died after the terrorist attacks the same benefits as those who were killed on September 11, 2001.
Another one allows recovery workers who became ill after a two-year deadline to reapply for workers' compensation benefits, according to the governor's office.
"As it is clear that many champions of 9/11 have developed debilitating illnesses over time resulting from their selfless acts, these New Yorkers need to know that New York state will not abandon them," Pataki said.
"New York will never forget the heroes of September 11, the men and women who tirelessly worked at the site of the world's most horrific terror attacks, to help save lives, recover the remains of loved ones and begin the rebuilding process in Lower Manhattan."
A third law will allow those recovery workers who have retired from public service to have their retirement status reclassified as accidental disability if they later become ill due to their efforts at Ground Zero.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday criticized the new laws, saying they could cost the city up to $500 million.
"It's just another example of the state of New York doing something that they want to do, but making the city pay," said Bloomberg, who like Pataki is a Republican.
The governor's office was unable to give any immediate estimates as to how many workers the laws will cover or how much money will be needed.
Responding to the criticism, Pataki said, "First of all, we don't think the cost will be anything like some of the estimates. ... Second of all, a significant part of those costs will be picked up by the state. Finally, when it comes to honoring those who risked their lives or gave their lives helping us get through the worst attack on America, we have got to do what it takes to help them and to help their families. "
Until recently, the state of New York had not directly linked any death or illness of a 9/11 recovery worker to the conditions at Ground Zero after the attacks.
But that position changed after the January death of 34-year-old retired police Detective James Zadroga from brain and respiratory diseases. A medical examiner and coroner's office in New Jersey concluded in April that Zadroga's death was directly linked to the September 11 recovery operations.
The new legislation was created for Zadroga and other victims of the 9/11 efforts, said Joanna Rose, a spokeswoman for the governor's office.
"The bill was created for him to ensure he received full line-of-duty benefits and also encompasses any first responders to 9/11 who could die of any complications," she said.
"Mr. Zadroga was the first person that the medical community had found a link to; therefore, the bills were created to directly impact him as well as others who are affected by 9/11."
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/15/911.health.benefits/
Tuesday, August 15, 2006; Posted: 2:25 p.m. EDT (18:25 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Three bills signed by New York Gov. George Pataki expand health and death benefits to 9/11 rescue workers who became sick or have died in the nearly five years since the attacks on the World Trade Center.
One of the laws, all of which Pataki signed Monday, gives families of those who died after the terrorist attacks the same benefits as those who were killed on September 11, 2001.
Another one allows recovery workers who became ill after a two-year deadline to reapply for workers' compensation benefits, according to the governor's office.
"As it is clear that many champions of 9/11 have developed debilitating illnesses over time resulting from their selfless acts, these New Yorkers need to know that New York state will not abandon them," Pataki said.
"New York will never forget the heroes of September 11, the men and women who tirelessly worked at the site of the world's most horrific terror attacks, to help save lives, recover the remains of loved ones and begin the rebuilding process in Lower Manhattan."
A third law will allow those recovery workers who have retired from public service to have their retirement status reclassified as accidental disability if they later become ill due to their efforts at Ground Zero.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday criticized the new laws, saying they could cost the city up to $500 million.
"It's just another example of the state of New York doing something that they want to do, but making the city pay," said Bloomberg, who like Pataki is a Republican.
The governor's office was unable to give any immediate estimates as to how many workers the laws will cover or how much money will be needed.
Responding to the criticism, Pataki said, "First of all, we don't think the cost will be anything like some of the estimates. ... Second of all, a significant part of those costs will be picked up by the state. Finally, when it comes to honoring those who risked their lives or gave their lives helping us get through the worst attack on America, we have got to do what it takes to help them and to help their families. "
Until recently, the state of New York had not directly linked any death or illness of a 9/11 recovery worker to the conditions at Ground Zero after the attacks.
But that position changed after the January death of 34-year-old retired police Detective James Zadroga from brain and respiratory diseases. A medical examiner and coroner's office in New Jersey concluded in April that Zadroga's death was directly linked to the September 11 recovery operations.
The new legislation was created for Zadroga and other victims of the 9/11 efforts, said Joanna Rose, a spokeswoman for the governor's office.
"The bill was created for him to ensure he received full line-of-duty benefits and also encompasses any first responders to 9/11 who could die of any complications," she said.
"Mr. Zadroga was the first person that the medical community had found a link to; therefore, the bills were created to directly impact him as well as others who are affected by 9/11."
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/15/911.health.benefits/
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