Lawmakers Gather For Health Care Labor Rally Downtown
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Local and national lawmakers gathered in Manhattan Saturday to call for better health care for people who got sick from the dust after the September 11th attacks.
Senator Hillary Clinton was among those who appeared at a labor rally to push the proposed 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
The bill would provide long-term medical monitoring, treatment, and financial compensation to anyone exposed to the toxic dust and debris from the collapse of the World Trade Center.
The bill would include first responders and rescue workers, construction workers and volunteers who helped clean up the site. But it would also cover residents, students, office workers and others who were in the area.
"We're going to rescue the rescuers. And it will be by highest priority. Whether I am your senator or I am your president, I will stay with this until we get you the healthcare, the treatment, the compensation that you deserve to have,” said Senator Clinton.
"We are here to show the world that we are united as a congressional delegation — united with labor, united with New Yorkers, and united as we say together, Îsix years is long enough to wait for health care,’” said Representative Carolyn Maloney of Manhattan/Queens.
The bill is expected to be introduced in Congress on Tuesday — the sixth anniversary of the attacks.