Congress

Today, October 19, 2023, would have been the 58th birthday of NYPD Detective Luis G. Alvarez, a 9/11 hero whose testimony persuaded Congress to establish permanent compensation benefits for 9/11 community members with cancer or respiratory illness and their families.  Detective Alvarez, who appeared before Congress with comedian and 9/11 advocate Jon Stewart, died only […]

Barasch & McGarry released the following statement from Managing Partner Michael Barasch on reports that Congress could partially fund the free World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program deficit: “As each day the number of 9/11 responders and survivors with cancer or respiratory illness continues to increase, we need to fully fund the World Trade Center […]

In 2010, 2015 and in 2019, Barasch & McGarry asked members of the 9/11 community to reach out to their representatives in Congress to convince them to pass and extend the James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act.  Thanks to your efforts, 99% of the members in Congress eventually voted in favor of the […]

Managing Partner Michael Barasch joined other 9/11 community advocates, first responders, survivors, and elected officials at a press conference this week on Capitol Hill in support of the bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023. The bill would provide long-term funding for the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and allow currently-excluded […]

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) urged his colleagues in Congress to pass a spending bill that would prevent a government shutdown and provide $3.7 billion needed for the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (New York) has also worked tirelessly to protect health care access for the 9/11 community.  There […]

There are currently 117,000 9/11 first responders and survivors enrolled in the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program – most of them union members. The program offers free health care for chronic health conditions resulting from exposure to Ground Zero toxins, including cancer, respiratory and aerodigestive illnesses, acute traumatic injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health […]