White House vows to aid ill 9/11 workers

White House vows to aid ill 9/11 workers
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said Thursday it will continue to help sick Sept. 11 workers, but would not say what their long-term health needs might cost.

Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt met with members of New York's congressional delegation, other members of Congress, advocates, and sick ground zero workers to discuss the first federal money for treating illnesses related to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Sept. 11 health experts say thousands of affected rescue and cleanup workers and volunteers will need decades of monitoring and treatment. Leavitt said that by the end of the month, Sept. 11 health programs would receive $75 million for treatment.

"If the $75 million proves to be inadequate, the federal government will be part of a coordinated effort to solve whatever the balance of the problem is," Leavitt told reporters after the meeting.

"We have a responsibility. We will meet it," he said.

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