9/11 First Responder Advocate Calls for Congressional Action on Health Funding

24 Years Since 9/11: A Call for Support

• 🗓️ 24 years after the September 11th attacks, advocates are urging Congress to approve more funding for the care of first responders and survivors.
• 💔 The number of deaths from 9/11-related illnesses has now surpassed the official death toll from the attack itself.
• 📈 A NYC Council member reported a 143% surge in 9/11-linked cancer deaths in the past five years.

World Trade Center Health Program Concerns

• 🏥 The World Trade Center Health Program, established in 2011, provides healthcare treatment to survivors and first responders.
• 🎗️ Nearly 50,000 participants in the program have been diagnosed with 9/11-related cancers.
• ⚠️ First responder advocate John Field warns that if new legislation isn't passed, individuals who get sick after 2027 will not be able to enter the program, which he calls a potential death sentence.

Advocacy and Legislative Efforts

• 🗣️ John Field, a first responder advocate, emphasizes that the 9/11 community, a finite and shrinking group, deserves better from Congress.
• 🏛️ While Congress cannot stop a mandatory bill, they can delay its passage, impacting ongoing care.
• 🎯 Field has a strong track record, having successfully passed 19 pieces of legislation, and aims to pass another bill by the end of the year.

John Field's New Book and Advocacy Journey

• 📖 Field discusses his new book, which chronicles his discussions with first responders needing federal help and his journey with John Stewart to expand the 9/11 victim compensation fund.
• ✍️ The book focuses on the stories of 12-15 individuals who have navigated their illnesses and advocated for the thousands in the World Trade Center Health Program.
• 📚 Each chapter includes a how-to guide on lobbying and passing legislation, empowering others to advocate effectively.