Speak Out: 9/11 first responders relief

Replies (34)

• I have wondered this myself.

  Did the responders in Oklahoma City get a similar bill?

  Does this bill apply only to NYC?

  -- Posted by Old John on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 1:09 PM

• The bill is to provide healthcare for thos who first responded to the 9/11 attacks.

  I do not understand why this was needed. I would have assumed they were already covered under insurance?

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 1:24 PM

• It's a bailout for New York City and New York State. They are both broke and this relieves them of some of the burden.

  -- Posted by Shapley Hunter on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 2:39 PM

• Oftentimes, group health insurance coverage has a fairly low maximum pay-out. Most 1/2 million to 1 million. Few pay attention to this part of the benefit, as even 10 years ago that "seemed" to be more than enough medical coverage.

  However, in today's world 1/2 million "might" pay for a 30 day hospital stay.

  As far as the bill, I'd suggest it is designed (in part) to avoid negligence on the part of those city officials who sent "9/11 first responders" into a buildings that were doomed once the two planes hit.

  Just wondering how many "responders in Oklahoma City" died or were permanently disabled trying to save lives? Those that did, I'm sure were very well taken care of.

  -- Posted by coke zero on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 3:32 PM

• Ok, say their medical insurance is already maxed out, this is how many years later???? This certainly wouldn't take care of any past debts that may have accumulated from it.

  And how long does this "bail out" last? Are we going to be paying their insurance for the next 50 years?

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 6:11 PM

• I'm not sure there is such a thing as true health insurance anymore. Insurance, such as fire insurance is pooling your money so that those who have a catastrophic fire get their damages covered. Those that do not have a fire, collect nothing.

  So called health insurance however is no longer for a catastrophic illness... it must cover every cough and headache you might have. And lo to the one who cannot collect more than he paid in. He thinks he is being cheated and if any of his friends found out that he could not collect more than he paid in he would be looked down upon with scorn.

  America is truly becomming a pathetic socialistic societiety. What they truly want is a nanny state.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 6:33 PM

• adidas, How long do you expect your disability income to last? And you weren't serving your community when you became disabled, were you?

  -- Posted by coke zero on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 8:52 PM

• Since the claims involve injuries suffered 'on the job' does this not put the claim into a category which by passes normal limits?

  Is this a new entitlement we have now created?

  -- Posted by Robert* on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 9:38 PM

• You've got that right Wheels! btw- How many blog identities does Sue Lynn have now?

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 10:21 PM

• 9/11 first responders aid bill "would provide medical monitoring to those exposed to toxins at ground zero, bolster treatment at specialized centers for those afflicted by toxins on Sept. 11 and reopen a compensation fund to provide for the economic loss of victims."

  I don't have a problem with taking care of first responders, especially 9/11 first responders.

  Anyone who does should be ashamed of themselves, given all the wasteful monies that some haha conservatives hold their hand out for.

  -- Posted by coke zero on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 11:05 PM

• How many blog identities does Sue Lynn have now?

  -- Posted by adidas on Sun, Jan 23, 2011, at 10:21 PM

  I am not sure adidas. But I suspect several of these off the wall new posters could be her, but haven't taken the time to try to compare the mannerisms. I get very weary of people like her, and right now have some things I am involved in and which I consider a lot more important than her.

  How is the weather in Cape snow wise?

  Best thing to do is just ignore her.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 1:08 AM

• Wheels-

  Ignoring her I am.

  We missed the snow that was suppose to come yesterday. Well it did a little but just flurries. Right now it looks wet cold and miserable out.

  I told my husband I want this to be our last MO winter. I am ready to go spend the winters south of here!

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 9:25 AM

• adidas: Why not just move down south? Your views coincide very well with those southern evangelical right wing nuts.

  -- Posted by howdydoody on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 9:38 AM

• It would be interesting to read an unbiased evaluation of the program. I find it hard to oppose assistance to First Responders no matter the circumstances.

  -- Posted by Acronym on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 10:05 AM

• Adidas,

  I used to be a big fan of snow and cold weather, but no longer.

  I could not wait any longer for global warming so go South for the winter, My thermometer reads 58.8 degrees right now. But it has been pretty cool at night.

  Oh Lord, I just heard on the news FEMA is getting into the cold weather business in the NE. More government, bigger government. Good God what did we do before FEMA. Talk about "Wing Nuts" now we cannot even make it through a winter without government help. Call Al Gore the Northeast part of this country cannot wait for global warming either.

  -- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 10:30 AM

• Since 1st responders were at work and on duty, shouldn't workmens comp cover this? Not sure how work/comp works in this situation.

  -- Posted by FreedomFadingFast on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 10:31 AM

• Seriously, I would run if FEMA came to help. Look at the "FEMA trailers" they have in New Orleans that are full of Formaldehyde.

  My objection to this 9/11 responders bill is the fact that yes indeed the responded to a tragedy, but that was their job to do so. Why should we as a nation as a whole pay for New York's fireman's health insurance? The police and firefighter's who responded to Hurricane Katrina didn't receive special treatment. The police officers who responded to Fort Hood aren't receiveing special treatment. And this now sets a precedent. When (not if) we get attacked by some insane Muslim who loves our country, and they come here and blow up a building, then are the firefighters of that tragedy going to expect us to pay their health insurance for the rest of their lives?

  Oh and Howdy, why would I move away when staying here annoys you so much? It is satisfying to know that!

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 5:44 PM

• "Why should we as a nation as a whole pay for New York's fireman's health insurance?"

  Did it ever occur to you that the events of 9/11 resulted in an unprecedented tradegy on a scale that overwhelmed normal capacity of insurance and workman's compensation to cover it.

  I am sure you noticed that it was a attack on the United States, not a small warehouse fire in Harlem. It's truely sad that your taxes might go up a few pennies so that the first responders can receive a measure of care. Possibly if you can compute how much extra this will cost you personally, we could take up a collection to reimburse you for your losses.

  -- Posted by commonsensematters on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 6:47 PM

• I would think a lot of Vietnam and Gulf War veterans would like to see congress give as much attention concerning ongoing health problems.

  Face it, this was done to sure up the democrat union vote. Kinda like SEIU getting to opt out of the health care bill requirements.

  -- Posted by Old John on Mon, Jan 24, 2011, at 11:21 PM

• adidas, said "going to expect us to pay their health insurance for the rest of their lives?

  You have shared you are disabled. Don't taxpayers help pay for your health insurance and perhaps your income?

  You "should" be a little more empathetic to those who have become disabled while responding to terrorist threat.

  Old John, "a lot of Vietnam and Gulf War veterans" Can we say Agent Orange Settement Fund? I understand that Gulf War Syndrome has been acknowledged and settlement will be negociated (eventually).

  -- Posted by coke zero on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 12:17 AM

• pest control, I guess if we keep adding to the list that deserve special treatment, eventually some slick politition will convince us that we all need special treatment and propose a nation wide special treatment policy.

  -- Posted by Old John on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 12:36 AM

• Old John,

  I will never begrudge aide or quality lifetime health care to those who have become ill or disabled as a result of SERVING their community or country.

  If you and others can and still sleep well, good for you.

  -- Posted by coke zero on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 12:44 AM

• pest control, In case you missed it, that nationwide special treatment policy has been passed and is now law. I guess my question is...If the health care legislation passed is the answer to all our needs why do we need another more special policy for more special people.

  Do not the poor and wretched that have not served the country or the community deserve the same as those that have?

  -- Posted by Old John on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 1:04 AM

• You must first take care of those who take care of everyone.

  So, to answer your question "deserve the same as those that have" No.

  And again, I repeat...If you and others can and still sleep well, good for you!

  -- Posted by coke zero on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 1:54 AM

• pest control- you assume too much, do you know what happend when you assume?

  Just because I am disabled does not mean I am on Medicare. I have a husband who supports me and provides for me while paying Thousands of dollars in taxes each year to support all of "your" causes. I also have my own business and pay taxes on it each and every year.

  Exactly how much do YOU pay each year in taxes?

  If those people who responded to 9/11 are disabled then they can get disability and receive medicare if they choose to.

  Old John has a very valid point. Our military men who come home from war deserve the same treatment.

  You said "I will never begrudge aide or quality lifetime health care to those who have become ill or disabled as a result of SERVING their community or country." But you are mising the point- the bill ONLY applies to those in NY city. It does NOT apply to those who serve our country in all the other states.

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 8:40 AM

• btw- my uncle served in Vietnam. He came home to people spitting in his face because they were against the war. He served his country proudly. He died months after being released from the military. You see, he was one of those who was heavily involved with "agent orange." He died a horrible death with cancer through out his entire body. I will never forget the memory of seeing him in the hospital and the color of his skin was a color I had never seen before and haven't seen since. The chemicals left their mark on him. He left behind a wife and 5 children.

  I have so many uncles who have served in this war or that. My father-in-law and father both served in the Korean War.

  That is serving your country. They responded to war just as all the troops who went to Iraq. Funny how you dems want to honor the firemen who did their job and responded to one horrific event. But you spit in the faces of those who gave their lives fighting that war for years.

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 11:29 AM

• adidas, go take your meds

  -- Posted by peacock111 on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 11:34 AM

• Rick, Regarding where has all that money gone, maybe it's like a well structured non-profit do- gooder corporation that has severl board members with six figure salaries to make sure it is non-profit.

  -- Posted by Old John on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 11:58 AM

• Rick & John both of you have a very good point!

  Look at Haiti... both President Bush and President Clinton went on tv and raised boohoo bucks for the Haiti relief. Yet reports show that Haiti still hasn't received the funds. What's up with that?

  Polisi, Pest, Sue, whatever you are calling yourself these days - you are the one with multiple personalities, sooo go jump in a lake!

  At least my meds are not for mental issues such as yours!

  -- Posted by Skeptic1 on Tue, Jan 25, 2011, at 2:48 PM

• Another thing I don't understand is all the charity walkaphons or however they say and spell'm.

  I heard of companies that actually give time off for employees to go walk for a cause.

  Now if this was walking that someone was willing to pay for like delivering phone books and pledging the wages to charity, that would make sense.

  What I don't understand is how a bunch of people wasting a bunch of energy walking is an honorable way to help a charity. Since no wealth for the charity was created, one might as well just sit at a desk and call people at dinner time and try to make them feel bad if they don't recognize there obligation to give back what wasn't given but earned.

  -- Posted by Old John on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 12:09 AM

• Old John, "how a bunch of people wasting a bunch of energy walking is an honorable way to help a charity. Since no wealth for the charity was created"

  Fact check please. Walks are common ways to raise monies for various charities. "Wealth" is generated by those who sponsor the walkers. ie $10 a mile etc.

  And why is your nose in a business's business? If the owner(s) want to pay their employees to walk for charity or even to do nothing, not your place to stick your nose, is it?

  Pretty sad when one complains but yet doesn't take the time to understand the topic.

  -- Posted by ho ho ho on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 12:49 AM

• eskimo pie, Thank you for your help in understanding the topic. Now I know common practice should not be questioned and I feel bad for doing so.

  I await your further wisdom about wealth creation.

  About my nose: I wasn't smelling, I was commenting about what makes sense to me.

  I am sorry you are sad.

  -- Posted by Old John on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 1:17 AM

• There are many good things I would have done for my family, but the first thing I had to do was be sure that I could afford to pay the bills.

  Point is this: If we continue to spend money on worthy causes without first considering the total amount of money available to spend we will either overtax the contributing members of society or spend our way into bankruptcy. If we do either of these who will be there to support the truly needy members of society?

  -- Posted by Robert* on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 10:52 AM

• The government will. Ask any liberal.

  -- Posted by We Regret To Inform U on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 8:33 PM