Robert Menendez

Menendez Applauds Cancer Coverage Decision For 9/11 Responders & Survivors

June 8, 2012

Newark - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, original author of the Zadroga Act, today applauded the proposal by Dr. John Howard, Director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program, to adopt the World Trade Center Scientific Advisory Committee’s full recommendations to provide coverage for a broad range of cancers in the Health Program.  

“I am incredibly pleased that Dr. Howard has adopted the full recommendations of the World Trade Center’s Scientific Advisory Committee,” said Menendez.  “With today’s decision, I’m confident that thousands of first-responders and survivors suffering from cancer as a result of exposure to the toxic environment surrounding Ground Zero will soon get the treatment and benefits they deserve.” 

Dr. Howard’s recommendations were issued in documents today, which will be subject to public review and comment for 30 days before being implemented. The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) provides full medical screening and treatment benefits to eligible WTC responders and community members.  

Examples of the types of cancer to be covered include cancers of the digestive system (e.g. liver, colon, esophagus), respiratory system (e.g. lungs, and trachea) thyroid, breast, ovary, oral cavity and pharynx, as well as soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, mesothelioma lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma, childhood cancers, rare cancers.  A list of the cancers to be covered can be found on the CDC’s website at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/wtc/stac/cancer.html

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