Big Increase is Predicted to Treat Ground Zero Workers

[Divernan]

Source: New York Times

"The total number of workers registered, including firefighters, now exceeds 37,000 and could go as high as 65,000 in two years, according to the documents. That would strain the programs, which are already short of doctors and so busy that newly registered workers must wait more than three months to be examined.

Records show that about half of the workers entering the program now receive treatment for ground zero-related physical health problems, like asthma and other respiratory ailments. About a quarter of them are treated for stress-related mental problems.

According to the documents, the workers coming into the programs now tend to have illnesses that appear to be more intense than in previous years, in part because many of them have waited so long to be examined that their conditions have worsened.

The planning documents were provided to The New York Times by a Congressional staff member who favors greater health care financing for people exposed to the trade center dust. A different government official, who worked on the documents but was not authorized to speak about them and declined to be identified, said they show a deteriorating health situation and inadequate financing."



Read more: www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/nyregion/18treatment.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&ref=solgin

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This is an excellent article packed with strong material - well worth your time to read it in its entirety. The bottom line is that a lot of heroic people are ill and not getting any better; and the federal agency charged with oversight is (as per usual for any fed agency run by Bush political appointees) not doing its job. Remember please, to blame the Bush political hacks in charge and Chaney's policy directives, not the civil servants.

[Javaman]

1. thank you witman for your service of stupidity to our nation. nt