WTC Assistance Programs

WTC Assistance Programs Theresa Gorman, MPH Health and Safety Assistant IAFF Department of Occupational Health and Safety September 2013

Today’s Presentation • Recent 9/11 legislation • Resources for 9/11 responders: • World Trade Center Health Program • 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • IAFF outreach efforts

James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 Signed into law in January 2011, allocating federal funds to provide health care and financial aid for workers and residents affected by 9/11: • Reopened the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Established the WTC Health Program • Established a list of health conditions to be covered by the WTC Health Program • Created a process that allows this list to be updated based on emerging scientific evidence

Programs for 9/11 Responders • Two different programs with different enrollment applications: • WTC Health Program • Administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) • Provides responders with free medical monitoring exams and treatment for 9/11-related health conditions • 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Administered by the Department of Justice • Provides financial compensation for sick or injured responders or family of deceased responders

The WTC Health Program • The WTC Health Program replaces the Mt. Sinai WTC Medical Monitoring program • If you were enrolled in the WTC Medical Monitoring program, you are automatically enrolled in the WTC Health Program • No re-enrollment is necessary • You can enroll in the program even if you do not live in the NYC area • You do not need to travel to NYC to see a doctor or to enroll in the program • Through the Nationwide Provider Network, you can visit a clinic close to where you live

The WTC Health Program • How does the Nationwide Provider Network work? • Provides referrals to physicians and specialists for monitoring and treatment • Each responder is assigned a nurse case manager to identify the responder’s health care needs and locate an appropriate provider near your home • Three part process: medical history questionnaire, diagnostic testing, and clinical evaluation

The WTC Health Program • What are the benefits of enrolling? • Provides responders with free annual health screenings that evaluate physical and mental health status • Provides free medical care for conditions certified to be caused, contributed to, and/or aggravated by 9/11 • Medical tests • Doctor visits • Surgery • Prescription drugs

Health Conditions Covered by the Program • Airways and Digestive Disorders: • Asthma • Chronic cough • Chronic laryngitis • Chronic nasopharyngitis • Chronic rhinosinusitis • Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Interstitial lung disease (scarring of the lungs) • Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) • Upper airway hyperreactivity • Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to above conditions

Health Conditions Covered by the Program • Mental health conditions: • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Depression • Panic disorder • Anxiety • Substance abuse

Cancers Covered by the Program • Effective October 2012, cancer was added to the list of health conditions covered by the WTC Health Program based on new research • Many, but not all, cancers are covered • A Program physician and Program Administrator must certify that the cancer resulted from exposure related to 9/11 work based on the patient’s medical history • Once certified, the Program will pay for approved cancer treatment, drugs, and services

Cancers Covered by the Program • Lip, tongue, gum, tonsil or other oral cavity • Nose, nasal cavities, middle ear • Larynx • Esophagus • Stomach • Colon and rectum • Liver and bile duct • Trachea, bronchus, other respiratory organs • Soft tissues (sarcomas) • Retroperitoneum, peritoneum and omentum • Lung • Breast • Ovary • Skin, including scrotal cancer • Urinary bladder • Kidney • Ureter and urinary organs • Thyroid • Blood and lymphoid tissues • Mesothelioma • Eye

Eligibility Requirements • Who is eligible? • Fire fighters who worked at the WTC, Pentagon, or Shanksville PA crash sites • FEMA response teams and other federal responders • Behavioral health response teams

Eligibility Requirements • WTC Responders: Worked at least one day from September 11, 2001 through July 31, 2002 at one of the following locations: • Lower Manhattan (south of Canal Street) • WTC Site (“Ground Zero”) • Staten Island landfill • Barge loading piers

Eligibility Requirements • Pentagon Responders: Worked for at least one day from September 11, 2001 through November 19, 2001 at one of the following locations: • Pentagon office building • Federal Building No. 2 • Pentagon heating and sewage plants • Pentagon parking areas • Fort Belvoir, VA • Dover Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, DE

Eligibility Requirements • Shanksville Responders: Worked for at least one day from September 11, 2001 through October 3, 2001 at one of the following locations: • Crash site in Stonycreek Township PA bounded by Route 30 (Lincoln Highway), State Route 1019 (Buckstown Road), and State Route 1007 (Lambertsville Road) • Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Friedens, PA

Enrolling in Program Benefits You and Other Emergency Responders • You can enroll in the program even if you currently don’t have any health problems • The medical screening may detect health conditions that you are not aware of • Measuring your health status over time can help your doctor identify any concerning trends • Information that is learned by screening healthy 9/11 workers will help protect disaster workers and responders

How to Enroll in the WTC Health Program • Fill out the correct application • NYC responder • Pentagon/Shanksville responder • FDNY responder • You must provide documentation showing the dates and number of hours worked at a 9/11 site: • Pay stubs, command logs, letters from employer or coworker, photos, ID cards, department communications, etc. • You can download the applications at: www.cdc.gov/wtc

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Provides financial compensation for physical injuries or illnesses specified by the Zadroga Act • Eligibility: • Worked at any 9/11 crash site during the period between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002 • Sustained a physical injury or diagnosed with an illness as a direct result of work at any 9/11 crash site • VCF does not cover mental health illnesses

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Filing a claim involves two steps: • Register with the VCF – fill out a registration form online • File a claim – file all appropriate eligibility and claim forms with the VCF by close of fund on October 3, 2016

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • VCF registration preserves your right to file a claim in the future. Registration is easy: • Apply online at vcf.gov • Create an account with a username and password • You will be assigned a claim number • Fill out a questionnaire about: • Your 9/11 work and exposures • Any prior claim with the original VCF • 9/11 related illness or injuries

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Once registration is complete, you have until October 3, 2016 (date of VCF closure) to file a claim • The VCF calculates awards on a case by case basis involving three factors: • Economic loss (lost wages, doctor’s bills, etc.) • Non-economic loss (emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, etc.) • Collateral source payments (PSOB benefits, settlement payments from other 9/11 lawsuits, etc.)

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund • Contact the Victim Compensation Fund at • www.vcf.gov • 1-855-885-1558

IAFF WTC Outreach Project One website for all 9/11-related health questions: wtc.iaff.org

WTC Assistance Programs