Bush Gets Earful on Ground Zero Health Fund

Bush gets 'earful' from 9/11 workers

The son of a Ground Zero Rescue Worker who died Recently of Lung Disease met with President Bush today and asked for more money for 9-11 workers.

By VERENA DOBNIK

Jan. 31,2007— The son of a ground zero rescue worker who died last week from lung disease met with President Bush on Wednesday, saying there is a "desperate" need to help those still fighting illnesses after exposure to toxins.

"On behalf of all World Trade Center victims, I expressed the urgency and the desperate need for financial support for health services," said Ceasar Borja Jr., 21.

He said he told the president that the funding should be expanded not for just "the heroes and heroines" who risked their lives to save others under the twin towers, but also for men, women and children exposed to the fumes because they lived or worked in the area.

Borja's father, Cesar Borja, was a police officer who worked 14-hour days in the smoldering pit after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. He died at 52, while awaiting a lung transplant.

Earlier Wednesday, about an hour before Bush delivered an economic speech at nearby Federal Hall, sick 9/11 workers and residents of the neighborhood gathered at the edge of ground zero to criticize his proposal to spend an additional $25 million to fund a health care program.

"Twenty-five million is absolutely not enough," said Marvin Bethea, 47, pointing out that some legislators, including Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, have proposed $1.9 billion in additional funds.

"That's a big gap."

Ceasar Borja Jr. was originally scheduled to attend the rally. But instead, he was preparing for the private meeting with the president, which also included Borja's mother, Eva, his 16-year-old brother, Evan, and 12-year-old sister, Nhia.

"First responders who need treatment will get the treatment they need," presidential spokesman Tony Snow said earlier Wednesday. "Many are already covered by insurance programs, many through their union; but if there are gaps in that, we're going to do it." ———

Associated Press Writers Devlin Barrett in Washington and Ben Feller in New York contributed to this report.