Fed Secretly Withdraws Millions From 9/11 FDNY Health Program

The Trump administration has secretly withheld nearly $ 4 million from the FDNY 9/11 health program. The program provides assistance to FDNY firefighters and medics affected by the September 11 tragedy. Reported by Daily News.

Almost four years ago, the Treasury began withholding a portion of payments intended to cover medical costs for firefighters, ambulances and paramedics. All of these people who risked their lives on 11/XNUMX are receiving the treatment they need through the FDNY World Trade Center Health Program.

The payments were authorized and executed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which oversees the program. But instead of sending funds to the city, the Treasury began to hold back some of the money. “They (money. - Ed.) just disappeared, ”said program director Dr. David Prezant. “They disappeared without any notice. We have never received a letter informing us about this. "

Presant said about half a million dollars disappeared every year in 2016 and 2017. The amount increased to about $ 630 thousand in 2018-2019. This year, the Treasury nearly tripled it, redirecting $ 1 million by the end of August.

At a time when the city is experiencing financial difficulties due to the pandemic, it still does not receive the funds needed to treat “our heroes,” said Presant.

He noted that he had never received an explanation from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the agency's Department of Health and Human Services as to why the funds were withheld.

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After years of complaints, Presant received a partial response from Republican politician Pete King, who facilitated the investigation. That response was that some other agency in the city was in conflict with the feds over Medicare bills.

But for some reason, the Treasury decided to close the FDNY case. Neither the Treasury Department nor the White House responded to requests for comment.

King called this situation, which developed on the eve of the 19th anniversary of the attack, "shameful." “I don't even care about the details. This fund should receive full compensation. This is absurd, he says indignantly. "If anyone were the true American heroes of 11/XNUMX, they were cops and firefighters."

Over the summer, King wrote to Treasury chief Steve Mnuchin and asked what the problem was and how to fix it. But, having received no answer, I sent another letter.

He intends to meet with Vice President Mike Pence at the Tunnel to Towers event to discuss the matter.

“The Trump Treasury Department is pulling funds from Congress for firefighters, cops and other workers who risked their lives for us,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. "This must be stopped immediately."

In 2010, Congress developed an interim health program based on the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act 9/11. The program was extended for 75 years in December 2015. “I don’t know what to say other than that this is disgusting,” said Jake Lemonda, president of the Fire Officers Association. “We have fought hard for these funds for many years to ensure that the victims receive adequate medical treatment. Withholding these funds without a legal explanation is unforgivable. "

Presant said he was able to get on with the work because the fire department is allocating money for the program, knowing that the feds will reimburse it under the Health and Compensation Act.

The program was designed by Congress and the government to be self-sustaining. The lack of reimbursement means that the President may have to do less to support those in need, even if the program is extremely cost effective as its employees are paid only from the city government. “The money we don't receive means that doctors, nurses and support staff are not being hired. So far we have not had to fire anyone, but we are on the brink, - he explained. - It's just not fair. This is not fair to our patients. The city covers part of our deficit. But during the crisis caused by the pandemic, this can no longer continue. "

Recall that FEMA cuts funding from COVID-19 fund... As a result, New York will lose millions of dollars. The total cost of AIT related to COVID is estimated at about $ 500 million in 2020 alone. At the same time, equally significant spending is predicted for the next four years.