Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Push To Expand Cancer Screening Coverage For 9/11 Responders And Survivors

Gillibrand Leads Bipartisan Push To Expand Cancer Screening Coverage For 9/11 Responders And Survivors

May 29, 2026

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2), led a bipartisan group of 30 members of Congress in urging Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand coverage of cancer screenings for 9/11 responders and survivors under the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).

In a letter to HHS, the bicameral group pushed for the WTCHP to provide enhanced screenings for prostate and skin cancers, which 9/11 responders and survivors face a heightened risk of developing. Early screening and detection can catch these cancers earlier, when they are most treatable, and improve survival rates.

"The World Trade Center Health Program honors our promise to never forget our 9/11 survivors and the first responders who protected our nation in its darkest hour," said Senator Gillibrand. "I am proud to work across the aisle to push for the WTCHP to provide these screenings, which first responders and survivors need to properly address the increased cancer risks they face. I urge Secretary Kennedy to ensure that our heroes get the care they deserve."

The bipartisan group wrote to Secretary Kennedy: "Currently, the World Trade Center Health Program follows the U.S. Preventative Task Force recommendations on cancer screening, without making exceptions for the 9/11 population and the increased cancer risks they face. In light of this circumstance, we hope you will consider providing enhanced cancer screenings for program participants, specifically for prostate and skin cancers."

"For the 9/11 community, studies have shown that the incidence of prostate cancer is 19% to 40% greater for rescue and recovery workers than for the general population," the group continued. Additionally, they wrote, "Studies have shown that 9/11 responders have a 9% to 43% increased risk for melanoma, linked to their toxic exposures."

Senator Gillibrand has been leading the push for 9/11 first responders and survivors still battling illnesses from their toxic exposure at Ground Zero. She led the bipartisan, bicameral fight to fix the World Trade Center Health Program's funding shortfall, and she delivered full, permanent funding for the program, signed into law in February 2026.

In addition to Senator Gillibrand and Reps. Lawler, Goldman, and Garbarino, the letter was signed by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-8), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-9), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Laura Gillen (D-NY-4), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-NJ-7), Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26), Nick LaLota (R-NY-1), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), George Latimer (D-NY-16), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), John Mannion (D-NY-22), Grace Meng (D-NY-6), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15).

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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