Dear Representatives Garbarino and Nadler,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 1410, the “9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act,” which addresses the impending funding shortfall facing the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).
This legislation establishes a new Federal funding formula for the WTCHP, dependent upon annual changes in the number of enrollees. Through FY2090, the program provides medical monitoring and treatment for the more than 137,000 responders and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks by providing initial health evaluations, subsequent treatments, and annual monitoring. Unless this legislation is enacted, the program will have to stop taking new enrollees in 2027 and will have to cut back medical services to 9/11 responders and survivors in the years after that.
This bill would further serve to provide increased funds for medical research pertaining to the program’s data collection, as well as require the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to present to Congress an analysis of their estimated budgetary needs as the administrators of the program.
The FOP fought hard to pass the near permanent reauthorization of the WTCHP because we believe that we have a duty to care for the law enforcement and other responders who risked their lives to protect us and, in too many cases, are suffering for it. It is important that we honor our commitment to them by ensuring that survivors continue to receive the care that they deserve.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you both for your leadership on this legislation. If I can provide any additional information or support for this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President