Michael Lawler
05/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/29/2026 09:26
Lawler Implores HHS to Expand World Trade Center Health Fund Cancer Screenings
Washington, D.C. - 5/29/26… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Sen. Gillibrand (NY) led 26 of their colleagues in a bipartisan bicameral letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand cancer screening coverage under the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) for 9/11 responders and survivors.
The letter specifically advocates for coverage of PSA testing and skin cancer examinations, something residents and the first responder community in the Hudson Valley need easier access to.
For years, the WTCHP has provided critical medical care and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors exposed to toxic substances. The program has demonstrated a strong track record of success, including significantly higher cancer survival rates for enrolled members, while continuing to provide lifesaving treatment and support for thousands suffering from cancers and other 9/11-related health conditions.
Due to WTC exposure, 9/11 rescue and recovery workers have higher risks of developing life-threatening illnesses and many cancers, including both prostate cancer and skin cancer. While these cancers are covered by the WTCHP, screenings are not. This letter lays out the importance of PSA tests and skin cancer examinations in this at-risk population and urges HHS to begin the process to consider coverage.
This past February, Rep. Lawler and his colleagues passed legislation to secure lifetime funding for the WTCHP. By fixing the program's funding formula for the long term, the law provides certainty for 9/11 responders and survivors while allowing the program to focus on improving care instead of future funding battles and bureaucratic delays. This includes cancer screenings.
"Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act want to thank Congressman Lawler for leading this strong bipartisan effort, along with Rep. Goldman and Senators Gillibrand and Schumer and other Members of Congress. Building on the recent success of Congress finally fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program, this effort to build on the programs history of improved outcomes with a call for even more improvements in cancer screening among 9/11 responders and survivors shows the delegations continuing commitment to those impacted by the toxins at Ground Zero as we approach the 25th Anniversary of 9/11," said Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act.
Additional signers of the letter included Sens. Blumenthal, Booker, Gillibrand, and Schumer and Reps. Bresnahan, Clarke, Espaillat, Fitzpatrick, Garbarino, Gillen, Dan Goldman, Gottheimer, Kean, Tim Kennedy, LaLota, Langworthy, Latimer, Lawler, Malliotakis, Mannion, Meng, Nadler, Ocasio-Cortez, Riley, Ryan, Stefanik, Suozzi, Tenney, Tonko, and Ritchie Torres.
The full letter can be found HERE.
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.
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Michael Lawler published this content on May 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 29, 2026 at 15:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]