Why renew the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund? It provides money for people who got sick as a result of the terrorist attack on the United States.

Comedian Jon Stewart made members of Congress squirm during a recent hearing about renewal of a program to help 9/11 first responders and survivors. Stewart teared up and accused Congress of “callous indifference.” After the hearing the committee voted to extend the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) until 2090. The full House of Representatives is expected to approve it in July. But Stewart and activists expect an uphill battle in the Senate, where Republicans seem reluctant to put aside the billions the program needs.

Why renew the the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund?

The Victims Compensation Fund provides money for people who got sick as a result of the terrorist attack on the United States and their exposure to the toxic dust. But the $7.3 billion set aside to help victims cope with their health problems is running out and the program ends on December 18, 2020.

First responders and people who lived, worked, went to school and played in the area and can prove that they have an illness linked to 9/11 are eligible for money from the Victims Compensation Fund. The money goes a long way to help pay living expenses for many and for expensive medicine not covered by insurance.

But more and more people are getting sick with cancers and other diseases that are just showing up eighteen years after the terrorist attack.

Why-Renew-The-Victims-Compensation-Fund — Residents of Lower Manhattan a Victims Compensation Fund Briefing Organized by Congressman Gerald Nadler and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer

Survivors who were not first responders account for 40 percent of the people now applying for help from the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, according to testimony before a House of Representatives subcommittee by the fund’s Special Master Rupa Bhattachayra. Many have cancer.

I’m one of those affected. As a reporter for UPN9 and FOX5, I went to the World Trade Towers shortly after the first plane struck and was nearby when they collapsed. I’m working on a documentary about people, including me, discovering that 9/11 caused serious health problems.