A Senate subcommittee in Washington held hearings Tuesday on a bill that would provide more help for first responders who have become ill after the September 11th attacks.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions heard testimony from health experts as well as residents and rescue workers, including a city firefighter who received a lung transplant.

The panel is taking up the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act which would provide health monitoring and treatment to rescue and recovery workers.

It's named after a New York City Police Department detective whose death was attributed to a respiratory disease he contracted during operations at the World Trade Center site.

The measure recently passed a House committee.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand co-sponsored the bill and says it's important to help those affected by the attacks.

"So many people have already lost their lives because of these illnesses. What our bill is going to do is provide for permanent funding for these families to make sure they have the healthcare that they need. Not only to recover and stay healthy, but to protect them in the years to come," Gillibrand said.

The hearings come as a judge recently approved a $712 million settlement deal offered by the city.

Those who worked at the World Trade Center site can instead choose to accept payment from that deal.