NY Daily News - March 18, 2010

The House energy and commerce subcommittee on health voted, 25 to 8, for a measure that would spend $5.1 billion for health care over the next 10 years for people sickened by exposure to Ground Zero.

There would be $700 million a year after that, indexed to inflation. The city would have to pick up 10% of the cost.

"With today's vote, Congress is finally stepping up," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens). "We have a moral responsibility to care for those who lost their health because of the attacks on America."

The measure, known as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, could cover up to 70,000 responders and 19,500 people who lived and worked in the devastation zone.

Progress on the bill has been painfully slow, and comes as responders face a 90-day deadline to sign on to Mayor Bloomberg's Sept. 11 legal settlement.

Doing so would bar them from getting cash from the 9/11 bill, while the settlement money would be guaranteed. It is not certain that the bill, which is more generous, will pass. Three Republicans backed the measure, but others griped it was too pricey. One suggested the treatment was something of a sweetheart deal for New York.

"If we want to talk about New York City and Congress only acting for the benefit of New York City, that's what this bill is about," said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.).

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn, Queens) ripped Buyer for suggesting there was any kind of "benefit."

"We're asking to care for people who are dying," he said. "All we're doing is letting them get better health care as they die."

Scores of responders applauded the yes vote, but were upset at the cost critics.

"Some of them are thinking money," said Anthony Flammia, 47, a retired Queens highway cop. "We didn't put a monetary thing on it when we responded. If it's coming down to money, that's where it's a kick in the face."