NEW YORK, NY – February 3, 2026 – With the Congress’s passage of H.R. 1410, permanent funding has been secured for the World Trade Center Health Program, achieving a bipartisan victory for the 9/11 community after years of uncertainty and advocacy work. The law ensures that the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program will have enough funding to continue screening and treating all responders, survivors, and others whose health was impacted by toxic exposure after 9/11 for 69 cancers and dozens of respiratory illnesses. The bill also ends extensions for the Health Program, bringing stability and peace of mind to hundreds of thousands of more individuals across the country.

“This is a victory for the 9/11 community,” said Michael Barasch, managing partner at Barasch & McGarry and a leading advocate for 9/11 responders and survivors. “For years, the 9/11 community had to fight just to keep their health care. The passage of H.R. 1410 means Congress finally kept its promise. This legislation will save lives and make sure that the people who gave up their health after 9/11 are not forgotten.”

After more than two years and dozens of trips to Washington, D.C., H.R. 1410 passed thanks to those responders, survivors, families, doctors, union leaders, and 9/11 advocates who asked lawmakers to go beyond short-term fixes and provide the program with long-term funding. “This victory belongs to the whole 9/11 community, who kept the issue in the spotlight,” Barasch adds. “The timing of the bill passage matters because it shows that the long-term health consequences of 9/11 exposure still need attention and accountability.”

However, Barasch and many other advocates for 9/11 survivors also state that the passage of H.R. 1410 is just one of many steps forward that must be taken, as supporters of the law say the approved funding for the WTC Health Program still needs oversight. Additional advocacy efforts will focus on ensuring the law is implemented correctly to protect access to healthcare and that every eligible member of the 9/11 community knows their rights under the program.

“Today, the 9/11 community can stop and note a won victory,” Barasch said, “but the work is not finished. The 9/11 community will remain vigilant to keep the promise for decades.”

All media inquiries and interview requests should be directed to Thomas Mustac, Senior Publicist at Otter PR, at thomas.mustac@otterpr.com.

About Barasch & McGarry

Barasch & McGarry, lawyers for the 9/11 community, is a law firm focused on legal and policy advocacy for individuals affected by the September 11th attacks. Since 2001, the firm has worked alongside first responders, survivors, families, politicians, advocates, and unions to advance access to healthcare, compensation, and long-term protections. Led by Managing Partner Michael Barasch, the firm remains actively engaged in public policy efforts to address the ongoing health and legal consequences of September 11.

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