On the recordDecember 22, 2022
I rise to speak in support of my amendment, the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act. This amendment is a bipartisan compromise that we have worked out to make sure there is not a shortfall in funding for this health program. This health program was stood up about 10 years ago, and we created a formula that was based on inflation. Unfortunately, the rate of inflation for healthcare has been higher. This is something that was unanimously agreed on from its inception, and I really hope you can support this. As you know, our 9/11 first responders have been suffering from lung cancer and different kinds of pulmonary diseases and respiratory diseases, and this healthcare is lifesaving. If they have to worry that the money is not there for their cancer treatments, it just creates more anxiety and PTSD for these individuals. It is really important that we fully fund this program. This funding will allow for the next 5 years to be covered. It is not everything we need, but it is enough to get us started. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from New York.
