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Zadroga's Legacy: 20 Years Later, 9/11 Illnesses Endure
8 Jan
Summary
- The James Zadroga Act provides medical treatment to 9/11 survivors.
- Ninth of November attacks continue to impact thousands with respiratory diseases.
- Health program faces funding crisis, risking patient care post-2027.
The legacy of NYPD Det. James Zadroga, who died 20 years ago from a 9/11-related illness, continues to impact thousands. His death at 34 from toxic exposure at Ground Zero spurred the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, signed in 2010. This federal bill provides vital medical care and a compensation fund for survivors of the tragedy.
Leah Betso shared how the Zadroga Act enabled her father, NYPD Officer James Betso, to link his glioblastoma to his service at Ground Zero, receiving treatment until his passing in 2015. Attorney Michael Barasch highlighted Zadroga's autopsy, revealing ground glass in his lungs, which was crucial in linking respiratory illnesses to the attacks.
Despite progress, the fight for continued support is ongoing. Barasch warns that the health program requires more funding and may be unable to accept new patients after 2027 without congressional action. A new bill, the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025, needs to be attached to the year-end budget, with a critical deadline for Congress this month.
