Legislation

The Need for Legislation Explained

After years of efforts by 9/11 responders and survivors to get Washington to recognize the health impacts of the toxins at Ground Zero that were affecting thousands, the World Trade Center Health Program was finally created by Congress in 2010 and was reauthorized in 2015, to remain open until 2090.

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) currently provides medical treatment and monitoring for over 137,000 9/11 responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the Shanksville crash site, who live in every state and 434 out of 435 Congressional districts.

However, because of increasing medical costs and increasing numbers of ill responders and survivors coming forward the funding formula for the World Trade Center Health Program will not provide enough funds to cover all the care that is needed for those still suffering the physical and mental impact of 9/11. This includes the responders and survivors who will be newly diagnosed with 9/11-associated cancers caused by their toxic exposures in the coming years.

Also as is evident from recent studies, such as the recent paper that reports potentially increased levels of dementia in 9/11 responders, more research needs to be funded into the impact of the toxins at Ground Zero.

Unless action is taken to deal with the impending budget shortfall, the World Trade Center Health Program will be facing service cuts to 9/11 responders and survivors unless Congress acts and provides the needed funding.

If no action is taken it is likely that the program would have to start limiting new responders and survivors who may be stricken with 9/11 cancers from enrolling in the program starting in October of 2027 because of the program deficit, with cuts in services to members of the program in the years after that.

There have been efforts in Congress to resolve this issue and get the program the funding it needs.

First, with an additional billion dollars of funding that was provided in the 2022 Omnibus spending bill, through the efforts of Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.

And again, in July of 2023, when Senators Gillibrand, Schumer were joined by Senator Mike Braun of (R-IN) in an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provided an additional $444 million in funding for the program and corrected the problem that some Pentagon and Shanksville responders, including those that were active-duty Military could not join the Health Program.

While these efforts did postpone the date that service cuts would go into effect by several years, Congress will still need to provide additional funds to stop the cuts to services and ensure that the World Trade Center Health Program is fully funded and able to provide its care to injured and ill 9/11 responders and survivors.

In 2024, in the continuing effort to resolve this funding issue, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Mike Braun (R-IN), along with Members of Congress Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Dan Goldman (D-NY) along with others, introduced the bi-partisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024 HR. 9101/S. 4724.

This legislation would have provided the funding needed to prevent cuts in services and deal with the program’s projected budget deficit and increased funding for research and data collection on 9/11 conditions. Its cost would have been fully paid for.

Elements of that legislation had been included in the 2024-year end Omnibus Legislation as part of a bipartisan deal to fix this, but it was pulled out of the final bill at the last minute because of Elon Musk.

That was bad enough, but in February, Musk and DOGE cut the staff of the WTC Health Program by 20%, which would have meant delays in care to 9/11 responders and survivors.

Thankfully, that was reversed by President Trump.

2025 Effort

On February 26, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Tom Kean (R-NJ), Dan Goldman (D-NY) along with other members of Congress introduced the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 (HR.1410 and S. 739).

This legislation would:

Provide funding to prevent cuts in services and deal with the program’s projected budget deficit. By fixing the funding formula to ensure adequate funding in the future for the life of program until it expires in 2090.
Increase funding for research and data collection on 9/11 conditions.
Require a report to Congress evaluating the budget needs of the program.
Make certain technical corrections to the current statute.

This legislation is needed to ensure that the slogan that we will never forget 9/11 is a reality and that 9/11 responders and survivors will continue to the get care that they need and deserve. This legislation if passed should permanently address the projected funding shortfall and ensure that the World Trade Center Health Program will be fully funded going forward.

You can view their press release here.

You can view their press conference here.

You can view our press release on their bill introduction here.

Memo in Support

Memo in Support October 29, 2025

Statistics

WTC Health Program Membership by State and Congressional District July 2025

VCF Participation by State December 2023

Press Releases

Statement From Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act On the Announcement by the CDC, Rescinding the Cuts to the Staff of the World Trade Center Health Program Along With Restoring Research Grants That Had Been Terminated

Citizens for the Extension of the of the James Zadroga Act wants to thank President Trump for the CDC’s action in rescinding the cuts to the staff of the World Trade Center Health Program and ensuring that needed research on the impact of 9/11 on responders and survivors can continue. We appreciate the swift action […]

February 16, 2025

Statement from Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act on the Trump Administration Cutting 20% of the CDC Staff who work at the World Trade Center Health Program and other Actions Impacting 9/11 Responders and Survivors

Citizens for the Extension of the of the James Zadroga has been informed with updated information that the Trump Administration has reportedly terminated 16 probationary staff serving World Trade Center Health Program and that with the several other staff have taken the Administration’s “buy out”, the total reduction in the CDC staff that supervise and […]

December 20, 2024

Statement from Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act on the Failure of the Continuing Resolution that Contained Additional Funding for the World Trade Center Health Program

Earlier this week we celebrated the bipartisan efforts of Senators Charles Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Mike Braun of Indiana along with Congressman Andrew Garbarino and Speaker Mike Johnson and their colleagues to include a critical fix to World Trade Center Health Program funding formula. This would have dealt with the impending budget deficit and resulting […]

News Articles

February 6, 2026 — Rep. Andrew Garbarino — Garbarino Thanks Advocates Who Never Stopped Fighting for 9/11 Health Care

Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02) today recognized the advocates, labor leaders, and first responder organizations who worked alongside him to secure permanent, uninterrupted funding for the World Trade Center Health Program.

February 6, 2026 — The Chief — Funding for World Trade Center Health Program secured

The World Trade Center Health Program will be fully funded through 2040 under a spending package signed by President Donald Trump this week.

February 5, 2026 — ABC News — Congress secures long-term funding for the World Trade Center Health Program

At a press conference Thursday morning, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., highlighted the action as a critical step toward protecting long-term care for those sickened by toxic exposure after the Sept. 11 attacks.

February 5, 2026 — Rockland/Westchester Journal News — 9/11 health program finally wins permanent funding as Trump signs bill

While funding for the Department of Homeland Security hangs in the balance amid a budget standoff over immigration enforcement, longstanding funding concerns for the World Trade Center Health Program finally appear solved.

February 4, 2026 — International Association of Fire Fighters — Congress passes 2026 funding bill protecting 9/11 responders

The IAFF-backed package includes increased staffing and equipment funding for fire departments nationwide and avoids a government shutdown.

February 4, 2026 — Newsday — Spending package signed by Trump includes money to shore up WTC Health Program

The program, which provides health care to more than 135,000 people who have fallen ill from their exposure to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack sites, was facing up to a $3 billion shortfall over the next decade.

February 4, 2026 — The Broadsheet — Appropriations Measure for World Trade Center Health Program Clears Hurdles

A final vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 3 locked in budget allocations for the World Trade Center Health Program through 2040, and averted a funding shortfall.

February 3, 2026 — Sen. Chuck Schumer — Schumer, Gillibrand Deliver Full Funding for World Trade Center Health Program

Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, first responders and survivors continue to be diagnosed with serious and often life-threatening 9/11-related health conditions, underscoring the ongoing need for stable federal support for the program.

February 3, 2026 — Rep. Andrew Garbarino — Garbarino and NY Republicans Secure Full Funding for World Trade Center Health Program as Bill is Signed into Law

Today, legislation securing full, lifetime funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) was signed into law, ensuring permanent certainty of care for 9/11 responders and survivors.

February 3, 2026 — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand — Gillibrand, Schumer Deliver Full Funding For World Trade Center Health Program

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated Congress’ passage of legislation to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which is now on its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

January 24, 2026 — Newsday — WTC Health advocates say funding fix will still leave more work to stabilize program

Just as the World Trade Center Health Program appears on track to clear one hurdle — inching closer to a congressionally approved boost in funding — advocates say they remain concerned by other problems that have saddled the program over the past year.

January 24, 2026 — New York Post — Massive spending bill fills $3 billion hole to support World Trade Center health fund

The program that provides health care for 9/11 heroes and survivors is finally getting the cash it desperately needs.

January 22, 2026 — Newsday — House passes measure to fully fund 9/11 WTC health program through 2040

A measure that would ensure the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program remains fully funded was approved by the U.S. House on Thursday, setting it up for a final vote in the U.S. Senate next week.

January 22, 2026 — SILive.com — 9/11 first responders healthcare secured through 2040 by NY lawmakers

Months after President Donald Trump axed legislation to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program, New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressperson Nicole Malliotakis among other elected officials secured money for 9/11 first responders through 2040.

January 22, 2026 — Rep. Andrew Garbarino — Garbarino and NY Congressional Delegation Lead Effort to Secure Lifetime Funding for World Trade Center Health Program

Advocates for 9/11 responders and survivors emphasized the significance of the funding correction and the bipartisan effort behind its passage.

January 22, 2026 — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand — Gillibrand, Schumer Announce Full Funding For World Trade Center Health Program In FY2026 Appropriations To Support 9/11 Heroes With Health Issues

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer announced they have secured inclusion of legislation to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) as part of this year’s federal appropriations process.

January 21, 2026 — amNY — Congress’ budget plan fills gaps in 9/11 survivor health program funding

Following years of advocates’ calls for Congress to shore up funding to support a health program for 9/11 survivors, this year’s budget will include a new funding formula — resolving a deficit in federal dollars that would have cut services starting next year.

January 21, 2026 — Senator John Thune — Republicans Secure Key Health Care Wins Through Regular-Order Appropriations Process

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 supports President Trump’s goal to reduce health care costs for Americans, including reforms to PBMs, which will increase affordability and access by lowering drug costs for Americans at the pharmacy counter.

June 4, 2025 — Spectrum News 1 — ‘It’s upsetting:’ There’s a looming funding shortfall for the World Trade Center Health Program

It’s estimated the program could face a funding shortfall in as soon as two years.

February 26, 2025 — Spectrum News NY1 — N.Y. lawmakers relaunch push to permanently fund 9/11 health program, one week after rescinded DOGE cuts

Congressional lawmakers are launching yet another bipartisan push for permanent funding for the health program that helps people sickened by toxic smoke and debris from the World Trade Center’s collapse.

February 26, 2025 — NY Daily News — Never forget the WTC sick: Congress must finally fully fund their health care

Having protected the WTC Health Program from Musk’s chainsaw, much more must be done to fully fund this CDC program, which will soon be facing shortfalls.

January 9, 2025 — SILive.com — ‘This is a priority of mine’: Malliotakis to discuss 9/11 health program funding with Trump this weekend

Though the program is authorized to run until 2090, the rate at which those who are contracting illnesses in the wake of the 2001 terror attacks is increasing.

January 7, 2025 — The Broadsheet — Twisting in the Wind: Eleventh-Hour Deal Scuttles Federal Funding for WTC Health Program

The looming budget shortfall means that, if nothing changes, the program will have to begin reducing services and rationing care in approximately 24 months.

December 26, 2024 — Newsday — Clock ticking on 9/11 health program

It’s another disappointment, another tragedy for heroes who are now seriously ill, or at risk of becoming sick from breathing in the toxic fumes after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

December 23, 2024 — New York Times — Money for 9/11 Health Care Was Dropped from Year-End Spending Bill

New York lawmakers had unanimously championed the health funding. Mr. Musk then demanded that Republicans renounce that measure and threatened on social media to “vote out” any member who voted for it.

December 22, 2024 — Fox 5 New York — Fire unions demand 9/11 Health Act funding

More than 23 years after the September 11 attacks, members of the FDNY are still fighting to fund healthcare for illnesses acquired during the response to the tragedy.

December 22, 2024 — NY Daily News — NYC firefighter unions blast House decision to strip funding for 9/11 health care program

The city’s firefighter unions slammed a decision by lawmakers to strip vital health care funds for 9/11 first responders from the federal budget after Elon Musk and Donald Trump nuked a spending plan.

September 16, 2024 — NY Daily News — Missing in action for the WTC ill: Members of Congress must get on board

There is a shameful absence of far too many federal legislators who should be supporting full funding for the World Trade Center Health Program.

Editorial Support

April 8, 2025 — Newsday — White House must restore cuts to World Trade Center health program

Less than two months after the Trump administration first cut World Trade Center Health Program staffing, the survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks again are begging for the basic care they require and deserve.

February 26, 2025 — NY Daily News — Never forget the WTC sick: Congress must finally fully fund their health care

Having protected the WTC Health Program from Musk’s chainsaw, much more must be done to fully fund this CDC program, which will soon be facing shortfalls.

February 20, 2025 — Newsday — Congress must fight cuts to WTC health program

The Trump administration’s broad employee cuts have slashed World Trade Center Health Program staffing by 20%.

December 26, 2024 — Newsday — Clock ticking on 9/11 health program

It’s another disappointment, another tragedy for heroes who are now seriously ill, or at risk of becoming sick from breathing in the toxic fumes after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

December 22, 2024 — NY Daily News — WTC ailing ignored again: Congress fails the Ground Zero sick

The fault lies with Elon Musk, who, in his rash meddling, blew up an agreed bipartisan plan to provide permanent comprehensive medical care to the sickened heroes and victims of 9/11.

September 11, 2024 — Crain’s New York — Editorial: New York’s spirit is evident in continuing investigation of 9/11 impacts

It’s admirable that New York’s research community continues to dig into the lasting effects of that terrible day, especially as many of those affected are alive and can benefit from these discoveries.