9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025
9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025 **What It Does** This bill would change how the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) receives federal funding. Currently, the program's annual budget is based on whatever Congress appropriated the previous year, adjusted for inflation. The bill would instead create a new funding formula based on how many people are enrolled in the program each year. It would also increase funding for medical research and data collection activities, and allow mental health providers to conduct certain evaluations under the program. **Who It Affects** The bill directly affects the estimated 80,000+ responders (firefighters, police, construction workers, etc.) and survivors who were exposed to hazardous materials during the 9/11 attacks and suffer from related health conditions.
These individuals receive treatment and monitoring through the WTCHP, which is currently funded through fiscal year 2090. The bill also affects mental health professionals who work with these populations. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and is currently in committee. It has not yet been voted on by either chamber of Congress.
CRS Official Summary
9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025This bill modifies the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), including by updating the formula for determining the program’s annual funding amounts and authorizing mental health providers to provide certain evaluations under the program.The WTCHP is a federal health care program (terminating in FY2090) providing responders and survivors with monitoring and treatment of certified medical conditions related to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. Under current law, the program’s annual federal funding is determined based on the amount specifically appropriated in the previous fiscal year, adjusted for inflation.The bill establishes a new federal funding formula for FY2026-FY2090 that is generally based on annual changes in the number of enrollees. The bill also increases the amounts the program may spend annually on medical research and activities relating to data collection. The bill requires the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which administers the program, to submit a report to Congress on the program’s projected budgetary needs and expenditures.In addition, the bill authorizes licensed mental health providers to perform initial health evaluations with respect to mental health conditions for purposes of determining eligibility under the WTCHP. NIOSH must issue regulations specifying the categories of mental health providers that may perform these activities.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.