The healthcare crisis that leaves 44 million Americans uninsured doesn’t make any exceptions for heroes. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on the long-term health impacts of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and among those testifying was Dr. James Melius, Administrator of the New York State Laborers' Health and Safety Trust Fund.
Dr. Melius told the Senators of the health care hardships that many heroic workers responsible for the World Trade Center clean up now face. In particular, Dr. Melius mentioned the situations of two New York City Laborers who were in attendance.
For Daniel Arrigo, a 51-year-old married father of three who has been a member of Laborers’ Local 79 for nine years, health problems began the second day on the job. On September 15, 2001, Arrigo was trapped in an elevator because he was knocked unconscious due to Benzene poisoning. He worked nearly four months at Ground Zero before doctors told him he had to get out of that situation or he could die.
Even though his lungs function at 45 percent capacity and he has many health concerns, including pulmonary disease and heart disease, Arrigo continues to work because of mounting bills and the fact that he was denied disability insurance and Supplemental Social Insurance.
"Our guys need to get better health coverage," Arrigo said. "The system is broken for those who need it the most. We sacrificed so much because we love our country and we love New York. I’m glad there are people fighting for us in Congress. We have to make sure that federal funding for health care services is increased for those who are sick. There are more than 2,000 Laborers who worked at Ground Zero and all of us have some sort of health issue."
Volodymyr Khomik, a 55-year-old married father of two who has been a member of Laborers’ Local 78 for 11 years, has not been able to work since July 2002. The Ukrainian immigrant began clean up work at the World Trade Center on September 12, 2001. He is now forced to live with a debilitating heart disease, nodules on his lungs and throat, and other health issues.
"The conditions right after the terrorist attacks were very dangerous down there (Ground Zero). I worked in cold water up to my waist all day long while breathing in dust filled with all kinds of toxins, including glass particles and burning asbestos," Khomik said. "Construction workers are American heroes as well. While we may not have been in the building on 9/11, we responded the next day to help rebuild our country. Now we are paying for it. I just hope people hear our story and understand that there are still victims of 9/11 – people who jumped at the opportunity to what is right but are experiencing devastating health issues."
In his testimony, Dr. Melius detailed the myriad of complications facing those who seek medical attention for health problems related to 9/11. The types of workers and different health plans are extremely diverse.
On the public safety side, there were fire fighters, police, and emergency medical services workers. The response and recovery activities also included construction trades workers, utility workers, sanitation workers, transit workers, cleaning workers, and NYC municipal workers from many agencies.
For example, city workers have health insurance but their pharmaceutical coverage plan is dependent on which union they belong to. For the construction trade workers, pharmaceutical coverage is often very limited and has high deductibles and co-pays.
Also, these health plans require that the participant work a substantial number of days each quarter or year in order to maintain eligibility. An ill construction worker could easily lose their coverage by missing too many work days. Utility workers have general medical coverage including some pharmaceutical benefits.
The people who cleaned the residential and commercial buildings around the World Trade Center often worked for contractors who offered no health benefits at all. All health insurance plans exclude coverage for work-related injuries and illnesses. And, New York’s worker’s compensation coverage should reimburse health insurers but it can’t stop them from denying claims at the outset.
A comprehensive solution to the health care crisis is desperately needed for these brave Americans who put themselves at risk in the aftermath of 9/11.
Tell the Senate to stand by our 9/11 heroes and make sure they get the care they need!