Congress Secures Long-Term Funding for 9/11 Health Program

Legislation fully supports the World Trade Center Health Program, preventing a projected multibillion-dollar shortfall.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Congress has approved legislation that fully funds the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment for 9/11 first responders, cleanup workers, and community members affected by toxic exposure. The new measure updates the program's financing, allowing it to meet rising medical costs and growing enrollment without the risk of sudden funding gaps.

Why it matters

The World Trade Center Health Program has helped over 150,000 individuals since its creation in 2011, but faced a looming financial crisis due to an outdated funding formula and growing enrollment as more people develop 9/11-related illnesses. This legislation provides long-term stability for the program, ensuring continued care for those whose health was harmed by exposure to toxic chemicals after the September 11th attacks.

The details

The new funding package will fully support the World Trade Center Health Program through 2040. It updates how the program is financed, allowing it to meet rising medical costs and growing enrollment without the risk of sudden funding gaps. Advocates stressed that stable funding is critical not only for current patients but also for people who may develop related illnesses years or decades later.

  • The World Trade Center Health Program was created by an act of Congress in 2011.
  • The new funding legislation was approved by Congress in 2026.

The players

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

A Democratic senator from New York who highlighted the funding action as a critical step toward protecting long-term care for 9/11 survivors and first responders.

Benjamin Chevat

The executive director for nonprofit Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, who warned that the program faced a looming financial crisis due to an outdated funding formula and growing enrollment.

Dr. Joseph Wendt

A member of the ABC News Medical Unit who contributed to this report.

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What they’re saying

“Fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program honors our promise to never forget 9/11 survivors and the brave first responders who put their lives on the line for our country.”

— Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator

“Finally, fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program after so many years is a real accomplishment, for the 9/11 responders and survivors who walked the halls of Congress and called their representatives, and for Rep. Andrew Garbarino and Sen. Gillibrand among others who worked to get it done.”

— Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director, Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act

What’s next

Addressing staffing shortages at some clinical sites and administrative backlogs that have delayed care for certain patients will ensure the program can fully deliver on its mission.

The takeaway

This legislation provides long-term stability for the World Trade Center Health Program, ensuring continued care for those whose health was harmed by exposure to toxic chemicals after the September 11th attacks. It represents a critical step in honoring the promise to never forget 9/11 survivors and first responders.