Health care measure for 9/11 responders moves forward

WASHINGTON - A 10-year, $5.1-billion version of a measure that would provide health care for first responders and others sickened by debris from the Sept. 11 attacks won passage in a key House committee Tuesday.

The Democratic majority on the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the amended Zadroga Act in a 33-12 evening vote after spending the afternoon before a roomful of ailing firefighters and New Yorkers, beating back GOP amendments that sought to limit the legislation.

"We look forward to bringing this bill to a vote on the House floor in the coming weeks," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan), who added it had "just cleared its toughest hurdle so far."

The bill next will go to the House Ways and Means Committee to devise a way to pay for the federal share of $4.59 billion - New York City would pick up $500 million of the cost - before it can go to the floor.

The Senate, where Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is the sponsor of a companion bill, is awaiting House action.

In an attempt to lure Republican votes, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the committee chairman, offered the revised bill to limit the act to 10 years and cap annual funds to $510 million. An amendment expanded the program to ailing first responders to the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.

But those and other changes, and the presence of their colleague Rep. Pete King (R-Seaford), a 9/11 health bill supporter, didn't sway Republicans. Only two voted for the final bill.

Republicans warned against creating a new entitlement for 9/11 victims and complained the bill's price tag would either add to the national debt or be paid for with cuts or new taxes.

"Are you going to raise somebody's taxes so they can't make their mortgage payments?" Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) asked Democrats. And to the victims in the room, he said, "I can't believe for one minute you're willing to jeopardize the financial health of every single American."

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn) responded: "If you don't want the victims to get the money and get the health care, just say it."

Weiner and others argue federally funded health care is appropriate for those who became ill responding to 9/11.

Retired New York City firefighter Kenny Specht, 41, of Levittown, angrily called Rogers' comment a "slap in the face" of those whose health suffered from the attacks in New York City nine years ago. "Don't tell us we're going to break the piggy bank of America," he said.

Democrats defeated Rogers' attempt to make the bill renewable annually and amendments to bar illegal aliens and millionaires from getting coverage.

One amendment passed on a voice vote: The program is off limits to anyone on the Department of Homeland Security's terrorist watch list.