In the state of
New York, Governor
George Pataki signed a bill to expand benefits for 9/11 first responders. In the
United States Congress, various bills had been introduced to provide forms of health care to responders and survivors of the 9/11 attacks. On February 2, 2005, Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney introduced the Remember 9/11 Health Act, which died in committee. On September 13, 2006, Senator
Hillary Clinton brought an amendment to a piece of ports security legislation, aiming to create a five-year, $1.9 billion treatment program for sufferers of Ground Zero dust and fumes after-effects. In February 2009, Congresswoman Maloney introduced the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which eventually passed following a protracted political battle in 2010. The
U.S. House passed a new version of the act in September 2010.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked the
Senate to do the same. In a Senate vote held on December 9, 2010, Democrats were unable to break a Republican
filibuster against the bill. Opposed Republicans expressed concerns over the $7.4 billion cost of the bill. They also raised concerns about creating an expansive new healthcare entitlement program and re-opening the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Many Republicans refused to end the filibuster until the Bush tax cuts were extended. Forty-two Senate Republicans had signed a pledge to filibuster all bills until the Bush tax cuts were renewed and the government was appropriately funded for the next several months. With only 57 votes to end the Senate filibuster and an incoming influx of Republicans in the wake of the
2010 Congressional Elections, the bill's future looked increasingly doubtful towards the end of 2010. Stewart also lambasted the lack of media coverage over the bill's political struggle in Congress. Stewart's coverage of the Republican filibuster raised media awareness of and public support for the bill, drawing praise from politicians and media outlets.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs acknowledged Jon Stewart's role in revitalizing support for the Zadroga Act, and
The New York Times compared Jon Stewart to
Edward R. Murrow, describing his coverage of the Zadroga debate as "
advocacy journalism." New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg described Stewart's coverage as "one of the biggest factors that led to the final agreement". The World Trade Center Health Program provides treatment services and medical benefits for people who worked in response and recovery operations as well as for survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was reauthorized in December 2015 and its coverage was extended to 75 years. In February 2019, the Special Master administering the fund "determined that there is not sufficient funding to pay all pending and projected claims," and cut pending claims by 50% and new claims by 70%. On June 11, 2019, Jon Stewart testified before the House Judiciary Committee, demanding additional funding. The next day the Committee unanimously passed a bill which would permanently reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. == Impact ==