9/11 Healthcare bill for "first responders" and clean-up workers is a Christmas Miracle

from TheHill dot-com --
The passage of the bill is a major victory for Schumer and Gillibrand, who have worked feverishly in recent days to set up a health benefits program for the firefighters, police officers and construction workers who rushed to the smoking wreckage of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and worked at the site in the following months.

“The Christmas miracle we’ve been looking for has arrived," Schumer said in a statement Wednesday. "Over the last 24 hours, our Republican colleagues have negotiated in good faith to forge a workable final package that will protect the health of the men and women who selflessly answered our nation’s call in her hour of greatest need.
“We thank our Republican friends for coming together to fulfill America’s moral obligation to the heroes of 9/11,” Schumer added.
The bipartisan deal cut funding to $4.3 billion while reducing the window of eligibility from eight years to five. The legislation is largely paid for by imposing a 2 percent fee on companies based in countries that have not signed a government procurement agreement with the United States.  Coburn touted the compromise.
“I’m pleased the sponsors of this bill agreed to lower costs dramatically, offset the bill, sunset key provisions and take steps to prevent fraud,” Coburn said in a statement.
“Every American recognizes the heroism of the 9/11 first responders, but it is not compassionate to help one group while robbing future generations of opportunity,” he added. “I’m pleased this agreement strikes a fair balance and improves the bill the majority attempted to rush through at the last minute."
The Senate passed the bill unanimously Wednesday, just hours before the House vote. The legislation now moves to the White House, where President Obama is expected to sign it into law.
Sponsored by New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D) and Jerrold Nadler (D), the proposal bill will create a multibillion-dollar federal healthcare benefits program for the emergency and cleanup workers who responded to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Supporters said it's the least Congress can do to reward the heroics of those who risked their health in responding to the tragedy.
Many of the first responders and cleanup workers were exposed to toxic substances that erupted into the atmosphere when the towers collapsed. The health benefits program will also help residents in the immediate surrounding area who came down with illnesses after the attack.
"When we pass this bill, we will answer the question of whether the United States honors its heroes," Nadler said prior to the vote.  "This bill will save lives," Maloney said. "It's taken too long, but help finally is here."

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/other/134847-senators-strike-deal-to-pass-911-healthcare-bill