9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023
1/10/2024, 9:45 AMSummary of Bill HR 1294
Bill 118 hr 1294, also known as the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023, aims to address funding discrepancies in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The bill seeks to ensure that these programs have the necessary resources to provide medical treatment and compensation to 9/11 responders and survivors who have been affected by health issues related to the terrorist attacks.Specifically, the bill addresses the issue of declining funding for the WTCHP, which has led to delays in providing care to responders and survivors. The bill also aims to address the issue of insufficient funding for the VCF, which has resulted in reduced compensation payments to eligible individuals.
To rectify these funding discrepancies, the bill proposes increased funding for both the WTCHP and the VCF. This additional funding will help ensure that responders and survivors continue to receive the medical treatment and compensation they need and deserve. Overall, the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023 seeks to prioritize the health and well-being of those who sacrificed so much in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. By addressing funding discrepancies in these crucial programs, the bill aims to provide much-needed support to those who continue to suffer from the lasting effects of that tragic day.
Congressional Summary of HR 1294
9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023
This bill modifies the funding of, expands eligibility for, and makes other changes to the World Trade Center Health Program. This program provides medical monitoring and treatment to responders and survivors who suffer from health conditions related to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Specifically, the bill provides additional funding for the program through FY2033 to cover program costs. It also sets out a new formula to determine funding amounts for the program from FY2034 through FY2090.
Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for the program to include members of the Armed Forces and federal employees and contractors who provided rescue, recovery, demolition, debris clean-up, or related services in response to the attacks at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001. The bill limits the enrollment of newly eligible individuals in the program to 500 at any given time.
Other changes in the bill include (1) allowing certain health care providers other than physicians to determine whether an individual's health condition is related to an attack, and (2) making the program administrator (rather than the centers that collect and analyze health data generated from the program) responsible for establishing criteria for credentialing health care providers that participate in the program.
