Two Clinics Opening to Treat WTC Illnesses

Shannon Weidemann

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In order to treat 20,000 more patients for illnesses related to the World Trade Center attacks in 2001, the City of New York is opening two more clinics. It will cost the city $33 million to fund the new sites for the next five years. The Mayor of New York City is asking for more federal funding to help pay for those suffering from World Trade Center Illnesses.

To coincide with the expansion plan, the fire department yesterday released a 64-page report on the physical and psychological effects of the attacks on rescue workers. Based on a six-year assessment of 14,200 firefighters and Emergency Medical Service technicians, the report found that more than 79% of those who responded to the attacks experienced at least one lower respiratory symptom.

The report also found that the number of retiring firefighters and fire officials who collected disability pensions for lung problems after 2001 increased to an average of 146 individuals a year compared to 49 a year before the attacks.

An existing clinic can be found at Bellevue Hospital. The two new clinics will be at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens and Gouverneur Healthcare Services in Manhattan.

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