Happy First Responders Day?? The heroes from Ground Zero may no longer have much needed mental health benefits from New York City. The Daily News reports that approximately 4,500 9/11 rescue and recovery workers would lose their mental health benefits beginning January 7, 2011, with no federal safety net in sight.
Unfortunately, this is all about pure "political game playing" and the Bloomberg administration is using the 9/11 heroes in a "game of chicken" with the Obama administration over who will fund this program and for how long. Read between the lines of this letter from the Bloomberg Administration to the 9/11 heroes. Shame on the Mayor!
Thankfully, Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler recently pushed the "Zadroga Act" bill through an important House of Representatives committee and this may provide first responders with some health protection given the Mayor’s current power play. Let’s hope so!