U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), and Peter King (R-NY), authors of H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, today released the following joint statement on the appointment of Sheila Birnbaum as the Special Master of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF):

“It’s welcome news that the Justice Department has finally named a special master – but now the hard work really begins.  In a matter of weeks, the program is supposed to start and the special master will need to draft and release for public comment regulations on which individuals and injuries are eligible for compensation.  This is vitally important work, and much is at stake.

“The special master will have the final say in making awards to injured 9/11 heroes and heroines, and with this sweeping power comes great responsibility.  We congratulate Ms. Birnbaum on her appointment and look forward to working with her to create the most compassionate and efficient program possible for those injured by the toxins at ground zero.”

The Zadroga law provides health care for those injured or exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers, and reopens the VCF to provide economic relief to those harmed by the attacks (the original VCF was created in the weeks following 9/11 and closed in December 2003).  Under the Zadroga law, by July 8, 2011, the special master must release for public comment regulations on how the fund will work and how the injured may apply for compensation.  Earlier this month, Attorney General Eric Holder, who made today’s appointment, stated that the VCF will be ready to consider claims by October 1, 2011.

Background

In January, Maloney, Nadler, and King released documents from the Congressional Research Service to help answer questions that members of the media and the public may have about the new law.  Below are links to the four documents:

• A Q&A on eligibility for health and compensation benefits under the Zadroga Act
• A timeline of dates by which the new law will be implemented
• A brief, plain-language summary of the law
• A section-by-section summary of the law