The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry tracks the health of more than 71,000 people exposed to the WTC terrorist attacks. What are the goals of the registry and what have we learned so far? Patient registries are databases that follow the health of a defined group of patients over time. Registries help healthcare providers,… Read More »
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) provides assessment, monitoring and treatment services to eligible emergency responders and others who were injured and exposed to toxic chemicals during and after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Last December, the WTCHP released updated statistics about the services it provides to members enrolled in the program. The… Read More »
Where can you go for healthcare and monitoring if you are a WTC survivor and do not live in New York? More than 65,000 members were enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) as of December, 2013. Although most members reside in the New York City area, 6,479 members live elsewhere. The Nationwide… Read More »
In February of this year, four cancers were proposed for addition to conditions treated by the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. In the past, the administrator of the WTC Health Program has added to the list of health conditions known to be associated with the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States…. Read More »
The September 11 Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) was created to provide compensation to people injured and killed because of the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. By law, operation of the VCF requires a Special Master to administer the fund. In 2011, Sheila Birnbaum was appointed by United States Attorney General Eric Holder… Read More »
The expansion of VCF claim eligibility to victims of various cancers is a victory for first responders, rescue workers, cleanup workers and others who braved the aftermath of 9/11 to help pick up the pieces. However, the increase in size of the pool of potential claimants also raises questions about whether the $2.775 billion allocated… Read More »
One of the primary purposes of the James Zadroga Act and the new Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) was to extend coverage beyond those who suffered immediate injuries in the wake of 9/11—and to account for the increasing number of first responders, rescue workers and others who were still being diagnosed with cancers and other chronic… Read More »
Several organizations were created to assist the victims of the 9/11 attacks with the long-term consequences of debris exposure. These include the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the WTC Health Program that provides treatment and testing to first responders and others. In addition to these important programs, however, the WTC Medical Working Group has been… Read More »
Since the new Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was opened more than two years ago, the special master appointed to oversee its administration, Sheila Birnbaum, has been highly visible and widely lauded for its progress. Recently, she took some time to discuss her experience during a speech before the New York University School of Law Annual… Read More »
The Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claims process was designed to ensure compensation funds only go to people with legitimate diagnoses of WTC-related illnesses. As such, medical evidence plays a substantial role not only in determining whether a claimant qualifies but also the amount of compensation he or she should receive. Receiving prompt treatment and working… Read More »
