Obama Signs the 9/11 First Responders Health Care Bill
EmailFrom Sunlen Miller and Yunji de Nies:
While on vacation, from his beachfront rental home in Kailua, Hawaii, President Obama has signed the 9/11 responders bill.
The $4.2 billion bill passed unanimously in the final week of Congress’ session before lawmakers adjourned for the year.
"I was honored to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster have access to the medical monitoring and treatment they need," Obama said in a statement released after the signing. "We will never forget the selfless courage demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers and first responders who risked their lives to save others. I believe this is a critical step for those who continue to bear the physical scars of those attacks."
Despite its popularity, the 9/11 health bill was delayed in the Senate by Tom Coburn, R-Ola., who came under criticism for opposing the bill on the grounds that it provided "overly generous funding" and included "unnecessary and duplicative compensation funds."
Under the deal worked out in the Senate and approved in the House, the total cost of the bill over 10 years would be reduced from $6.2 billion to $4.2 billion. Of that $4.2 billion, $1.5 billion will go to health benefits for the first responders, while $2.7 billion will go to compensation for them.
– Sunlen Miller and Yunji de Nies
Biden Reflects on Grief, Suicidal Thoughts 
Is Congress Sounding Dumber?
Embarrassment goes a long way toward getting the GOP to man up.
I wonder what would happen if most people actually knew what congress was doing?
Posted by: Flash Override | January 2, 2011, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
This Bill succeeded due to the NONSTOP effort of the 9/11 Community who never ever gave up and the American people who never forgot 9/11/01!Thank you to all who had a hand in making this Bill get signed!!Thank you to all for your kind comments and positive thoughts.God bless you.God bless America.
Posted by: scott c | January 2, 2011, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
Add a .50 tax to every fast food order which exceeds 500 total calories. With the millions of those sold every day in North America, that would help illuminate the issue, discourage the consumption a little, and toss billions of dollars into the kitty to finance health reform.
Posted by: Mike W | January 2, 2011, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
Pres. Obama has done more in 2 years
than most of our recent presidents.
I do not like to play the race card
but the criticism seems to be directed
toward the president’s race.
Posted by: S.C.Clarke | January 2, 2011, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
The GOP fought this with everything they had. It makes me think they have a BIG fight ahead of them once they are expected to support the needs of this country in the house.
I used to be with them. These days I’d like to be without them.
I cannot think of a single positive thing they have come out for that effects the quality of life for the middle class.
And yes, we need this very effective and cost saving Health Care Reform bill more than ever.
Posted by: eloc | January 2, 2011, 10:12 pm 10:12 pm
Mike W wrote:”Add a .50 tax to every fast food order which exceeds 500 total calories.”
.
Don’t worry… with $5 gas and diesel fast approaching that “tax” will hit everything besides just fast food orders.
.
“and toss billions of dollars into the kitty to finance health reform.”
.
Thanks to the oil prices increasing, those dollars will get tossed into the Middle-East coffers… must be exactly what the DEMOCRATS and oBama want.
Posted by: gk | January 2, 2011, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
People should never forget that real health depends how well you take care of yourself and not what health insurance you carry but I agree health insurance is important for every one. Search “Wise Health Insurance” online for dollar a day insurance plans.
Posted by: marklang | January 3, 2011, 1:32 am 1:32 am
And while we are talking about healthcare… let’s not forget all the military coming back injured from iraq and Afghanistan… are they really getting the care they need and deserve… you might be surprised at that answer.
Posted by: mj | January 3, 2011, 8:20 am 8:20 am
Good job. Now we need to cut some of the fat off of the health reform bill and I think we might have a winner.
Posted by: Pa Rate | January 3, 2011, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
Good job. Now we need to cut some of the fat off of the health reform bill and I think we might have a winner.
Posted by: Pa Rate | Jan 3, 2011 1:37:04 PM
Really? Then why has this happend?
In the past two months, the Obama Administration has allowed 222 employers, insurers, and unions to opt out of a key mandate in the new health care law.
Of these 222 companies, they cover more than 1.5 million people, including 34 unions with more than 140,000 members. a few others who recently received the waivers are Ruby Tuesday, AMB Bowling Worldwide, and the local chapters of the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Health and Welfare Fund and the Teamsters.
UNIONS GET AN OPT OUT!!!
Posted by: wheresmymoney | January 3, 2011, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm