November 20, 2015 Newsletter
Clarification of WTC Cancer Deadlines
While many deadlines have passed to register with the Victim Compensation Fund, new claims are still available if the cancer was diagnosed within the last two years. Moreover, certain “rare cancers” can still be registered up to 2/18/2016, as long as they were diagnosed after 9/11/05. “Rare cancers” include: Cancers of the testis and penis, male breast, gall bladder, small intestine, thymus, central nervous system, and adrenal gland.
If you know anybody who has been diagnosed with one of these “rare cancers” or has been diagnosed with any of the other 70-odd cancers that have already been linked to the WTC toxic dust within the past two years, please encourage them to speak to an attorney immediately in order to preserve their legal rights.
Mike Barasch met with Senator Kirsti Gillibrand this week to discuss progress being made to extend the 9/11 Health & Compensation Act.
Progress Being Made To Pass a Permanent 9/11 Bill
As we approach Thanksgiving, I am hopeful that 9/11 first responders and WTC local residents will soon have good news to be thankful for. Congress is inching closer to passing a permanent extension of the Zadroga Act. As of today, 253 Representatives in the House and 66 Senators have agreed to co-sponsor legislation that would fully fund the Zadroga Act and make it permanent. This would ensure that all claimants would be paid their full compensation awards and healthcare will continue for at least another 10 years. Issues such as how this bill will be funded, and specifically for how much longer, are still being debated.
We were thrilled that Senator Marco Rubio, the Florida Senator who is running for President, jumped on board this week. Unfortunately, Senator Ted Cruz, as well as 33 other Senators, have refused to do so. We urge you to continue your phone calls to the Senators as well as to the Republican Representatives who have, thus far, refused to join as co-sponsors of this non-partisan legislation.
