The House of Representatives today appropriated $70 million to maintain the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment program. The money would support a half-dozen clinics in the metropolitan area, and others around the country, for diagnosing and treating people with health problems related to September 11th and its aftermath. Passage of the appropriation is also expected in the Senate, but the timetable is unclear.

Local representatives in both houses are trying to get funding for a much larger package. The 11-billion-dollar “9/11 Health and Compensation Act” would not only pay for medical treatment, but would also provide long-term payments for those disabled by health problems.