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Modify Zadroga Act H.R.1786 to Provide Equal and Fair Benefits for 911 Survivors and First Responders

We said we'd never forget. Stand United to show your support for those still struggling with illnesses due to the toxins they were exposed to on 911 by signing this Petition. Experts say that the second wave of illnesses from the terror attacks is beginning. They are seeing rare and aggressive cancers as well as a continuation of severe breathing issues and other life-threatening diseases.



It's easy to forget when you are not personally living with the effects of 911 or don't know anyone who is.



The reauthorization of the Zadroga Act reduced VCF payout caps by 2/3rds. In addition those 9/11 Survivors and First Responders who live outside of the NYC metro area do not receive the same level of healthcare as those in New York who have access to the 5 Centers of Excellence. Most physicians in the WTC Nationwide Provider Network have no knowledge or training in WTC illnesses and most have never seen or treated a 911 Survivor. They often do not know what to look for and frequently ignore the symptoms of the rare diseases that are plagueing 9/11 survivors. That causes serious delays in diagnosis and treatment.





We petition Congress for Modification of the Zadroga Act (H.R. 1786) which was reauthorized in 2015. We also demand equal healthcare access for those outside the NY area who are enrolled in the WTC Health Program Nationwide Provider Network.





We request a Congressional Committee Hearing.



These are the changes needed:



1)  Remove reduced settlement caps in the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for both cancer and non cancer claims or re-establish the previous settlement caps.



2)  Include 'proven and documented cases of PTSD' as an illness covered by VCF for group A and B claimants regardless of disability status.



3)  Remove requirement that compensation for income loss be granted only for those who were on disability.



4)  Improve turnaround time for processing of VCF claims.



5) insure that physicians in the Nationwide Provider Network have some knowledge or training in WTC illnesses. In the NYC area there are 5 Centers of Excellence. The physicians specialize in 911 illnesses. Those Survivors outside of NYC often can not get timely diagnosis or treatment.



6) improve certification turnaround time. Excessive delays of approximately 3+ months are often seen in the Nationwide Provider Network administered by LHI in LaCrosse Wisconsin



6)  Those who filed claims prior to the December 2015 cut off will be reimbursed and paid should be considered to be group A.



7) Open satellite Centers of Excellence to provide enrollees in the World Trade Center Health Program – Nationwide Provider Network with comparable Medical Care as those enrolled in the New York City program. Some possible recommended cities are Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Dallas.



For additional information and specifics of what we are requesting please visit our website at: http://sept11lifeline.org/about-petition/