The
White House revealed
Thursday night it
boosted funding for
ailing 9/11
responders - pumping
more money into the
treatment program
than ever before.
Team Obama disclosed
the cash only after
outraging New York
lawmakers with the
news that the
administration won't
back a permanent
plan to help the
dying Ground Zero
responders.
The White House
confirmed it will
more than double the
budget for treating
ill responders to
$150 million in
2011.
The abrupt
revelation came
after the Daily News
reported New York
lawmakers were
shocked Wednesday
when Health and
Human Services
Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius said the
administration
does
not support
mandatory funding
for the $11 billion
permanent treatment
plan.
"I was stunned - and
very disappointed,"
said Sen. Kirsten
Gillibrand.
"To say the least, I
was flabbergasted,"
said Staten Island
Rep. Mike McMahon.
Family members also
were infuriated by
the lack of
permanent support.
"I thought that
these people would
be taken care of. I
would have expected
better from this
administration,"
said Lorie Van Auken.
The delegation hopes
President Obama will
reconsider and put
victims of the
terror strike on a
footing close to
wounded soldiers,
perhaps even funding
the 9/11 health bill
with the military.
"We are focused on
strengthening the
World Trade Center
health program and
providing needed
resources through
the budget," White
House spokeswoman
Moira Mack said.
New York legislators
were thrilled to
learn of the
one-year funding
boost.
"I am so pleased the
administration heard
the concerns of my
colleagues and I,"
said McMahon,
praising the belated
payout during a
tough budget.
Lawmakers still
believe a permanent
fix needs to be made
so responders don't
have to take hat in
hand for every new
budget and political
cycle.
Sebelius "made it
clear that the
administration does
not support any kind
of funding mechanism
that's built into
the bill," said
Bronx Rep. Eliot
Engel. "They find
money for everything
else, they need to
find money for
this."
mmcauliff@nydailynews.com
With Kenneth R.
Bazinet
