The controversial Zagroda bill has passed the House and now heads to the Senate. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The Zadroga bill has passed the House of Representatives. The bill allocates funds to provide medical care to rescue workers who were on the scene of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Many of the people who responded to the scene inhaled dust fumes, and other particles. The bill is named for James Zadroga, a New York City policeman who was a first responder. Zadroga died from respiratory problems, which may have been a direct result of his involvement.

Zadroga bill passes the House

The Zadroga bill, or otherwise known as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, has just passed the House of Representatives. The bill passed 268 to 160. The James Zadroga bill, according to the New York Times, will cost $7.4 billion. Of that, $3.2 billion will go toward looking into and treating any injuries or illnesses related to personnel who were at Ground Zero. New York City will chip in for 10 percent of the costs. A further $4.2 billion would be set aside for the September 11 Victim Compensation fund.

A contentious law

This is the second time that this bill has been brought to the House. It was first introduced in July, under rules that required a two-thirds majority, and it failed to meet that. The first bill was introduced under those rules because of a proposed amendment by Republicans. The feared amendment would have blocked illegal immigrants from receiving benefits under the original version of the James Zadroga act. There has also been controversy considering James Zadroga himself. The medical examiner who performed his autopsy determined he did not die from any causes related to his involvement in the Sept. 11 attacks. The debate over the first bill was heated and marked by a feud between Representatives Anthony Wiener and Peter King.

September 11 survivors

Some people who were involved in the initial response and clean up after the Sept. 11 attacks have suffered health effects. There are 60,000 people receiving medical care as a result of those effects.

Sources

New York Times