Recent Blog Posts

Finally!  Earlier today, Congress officially voted to extend the Zadroga Health and Compensation Act.  It wasn’t until 11 p.m. on Tuesday that New York lawmakers and advocates knew for sure that the $1.1 trillion must-pass omnibus spending bill for 2016 actually included a $8.1-billion extension of the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. But, Congress […]

As of midnight, September 30, 2015, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act expired. The expiration means that the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and the WTC Health Program will not be funded beyond October 2016. Does Congress truly intend to abandon thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors who served our country valiantly in […]

Mike Barasch watched with gratitude as Jon Stewart returned to the Daily Show to shine a light on Congress’ refusal to pass legislation that would extend the Zadroga Health and Compensation Act (including the Victim Compensation Fund). Stewart urged viewers to contact Senate Majority Leader McConnell and House Speaker Ryan to urge them to pass […]

The James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 created the World Trade Center Health Program, charged with monitoring and treating 9/11 responders who develop illnesses related to toxic exposure during rescue and recovery work. As attorneys who represent 9/11 responders, we urge anyone who was exposed to toxins at Ground Zero to […]

The death on September 10 of a Yonkers policeman from 9/11-related cancer did not arouse sufficient support for Congress to renew the James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, before it expired on September 30. But Lt. Roy McLaughlin’s life and untimely death should stand as a reminder of the urgent need to extend […]

On Monday, November 2, 2015, Mike Barasch attended a press conference at Ground Zero to support Congressional Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, Frank Pallone, Nydia Velázquez, and Steve Israel, all who all criticized recent Republican proposals that would provide an underfunded and temporary extension of the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act.  The new Republican […]