Trump administration siphoned almost $4 million from 9/11 first responders fund: report

Authored by marketwatch.com and submitted by skycaelum
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As the nation marks the 19th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a new report accuses the Trump administration of siphoning almost $4 million away from a fund supporting the 9/11 first responders.

The Treasury Department began withholding parts of payments intended to cover medical services for firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians suffering 9/11-related illnesses, according to documents obtained by the New York Daily News. These first responders who inhaled smoke and dust at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attack, which killed almost 3,000 Americans, have suffered illnesses including cancers and systemic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, in the almost two decades since.

The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOHS) oversees the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program. The Daily News reports that the Treasury started keeping some of the money earmarked for this program — to the tune of about half a million dollars each year in 2016 and 2017, and $630,000 each year in 2018 and 2019. And the Treasury has nearly tripled these extractions this year, withholding $1.447 million through late August, according to Dr. David Prezant, the program director.

“ “It’s disgraceful.” ” — Sen. Peter King (R-N.Y.)

“This was disappearing — without any notification,” Prezant, who is also the FDNY’s Chief Medical Officer, told the Daily News. “Here we have sick World Trade Center-exposed firefighters and EMS workers, at a time when the city is having difficult financial circumstances due to COVID-19, and we’re not getting the money we need to be able to treat these heroes.”

Adding insult to injury was that they weren’t given a heads-up about any cuts, he said. “And for years, they wouldn’t even tell us — we never ever received a letter telling us this,” he said.

Related: Jon Stewart berates Congress for empty chairs at hearing for 9/11 first responders

When Republican Sen. Peter King from Long Island asked the NIOHS and Department of Health and Human Services for an explanation, however, he learned that some other agencies in New York City has been at odds with the federal government over Medicare bills. This resulted in money being cut from the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program to cover the delinquent Medicare debt of these other entities.

The Treasury Department confirmed in an email to MarketWatch that it has been in contact with King, and it is also working with New York City’s Department of Finance to get this resolved

King still offered strong words over the situation to the paper. “It’s disgraceful,” he said. “I don’t even care what the details of this thing is. That fund has to be fully compensated, fully reimbursed. I mean, this is absurd. If anyone were true American heroes, it was the cops and firemen on 9/11, especially the firemen, and for even $1 to be held back is absolutely indefensible.”

King has written to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and said he planned to speak with Vice President Mike Pence about the missing funds during the Tunnel to Towers event marking the somber anniversary on Friday.

Related:How the pandemic is changing the way Americans commemorate 9/11

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also told the paper that payments need to be restored to the first responders’ health program ASAP. “The Trump Treasury Department siphoning Congressionally appropriated funds meant to pay for 9/11 workers’ healthcare is an outrageous finger in the eye to the firefighters, cops and other first responders who risked their lives for us,” he said.

A White House official told MarketWatch that they are working with King to examine any potential authorities to provide relief in this case. The Treasury Department shared a similar response in an emailed statement, which read: “Treasury adhered to its statutory obligations established by Congress regarding debts owed by New York, but we are also working with Congressman King and others to examine any potential authorities to provide relief in this case to support our nation’s 9/11 heroes.”

This story has been updated with responses from the White House and the Treasury Department.

yaitstone on September 11st, 2020 at 15:49 UTC »

It’s fascinating watching Trump voters post stuff about 9-11 all day and pretend like they care. No one puts on a show like they do. Please vote.

BeanyandCecil on September 11st, 2020 at 15:46 UTC »

He bragged, incorrectly, that day about having the tallest tower in NY after they fell. So never forget and don't be shocked that this is also true.

skycaelum on September 11st, 2020 at 15:14 UTC »

Day by day we have bombshell reports and accounts revealing the Trump administration’s shenanigans, particularly the blatant disregard for the nation’s heroes. Just when everyone thought they couldn’t sink any lower, they prove us wrong.