This month marks a historic and hard-fought victory for the 9/11 community, an achievement that will save lives. Congress has finally passed a bill that assures long-term funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, ensuring continued access to free monitoring, treatment, and cancer screenings for years to come. Had this funding not been secured, the Health Program would not have been able to accept new patients after 2027.
Full funding means stability. It means certainty. And most importantly, it means that those whose health has been impacted in the aftermath of September 11th will not be abandoned.
Securing support from members of Congress outside of the New York area was a challenge. Justice did not come easily. It is the result of years of relentless advocacy by the 9/11 community, responders, survivors, families, doctors, union leaders, and advocates; all who refused to accept broken promises or temporary solutions.
Our firm is proud to have stood alongside you in this fight. Our partners and staff proudly made dozens of trips to Washington in 2025 to make sure that the voices of both responders and civilians in the 9/11 community were heard loud and clear. We reminded legislators of their promise to “never forget.” Fortunately, this time they listened!
As we approach the 25th remembrance of September 11, 2001, this news carries special meaning. While this is a major milestone, our work is not finished. We must now press Secretary Kennedy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to end the NIOSH hiring freeze. The WTC Health Program must be fully staffed so that new patients don’t have to wait 6 months for an appointment to have their illnesses certified. And, we will implore Mr. Kennedy to restore research funding so that heart and autoimmune diseases can finally be covered.
A special thank you to those who heeded our call to action and called your legislators and demanded their support. Your involvement and advocacy made a difference.
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