New York Rep. Peter King: 'Inexcusable' that it took five years to pass Zadroga Bill, says it's our obligation to stand by first responders

Health officials announced Monday that the government will now cover the treatment for 58 forms of cancer that can be linked to toxins that residents and rescue workers were exposed to at Ground Zero. On the 11th anniversary of September 11, 2001, Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who co-authored the Zadroga Act to help ailing 9/11 responders, discusses the law and the delays in getting it passed.

“The whole situation is inexcusable. It shouldn’t have taken 5 years to pass the Zadroga Bill in the first place,” King says. “It was so obvious that these forms of cancer came from what happened here at Ground Zero. We have young men and women in their 30s and 40s, in the peak of their life, coming down with these rare forms of blood cancer, these rare diseases.”

“Now we have really another struggle ahead of us,” he adds. “Because these 52 forms of cancer are covered, but the amount of money in the fund has not been increased. We have to find ways to increase that fund. It’s our moral obligation to stand by those who put their lives on the line, not just on 9/11, but in the days, weeks, and months following 9/11.”