December 15, 2016 — Federal Register Notice: Amendments to Definitions, Appeals, and Other Requirements
In this action, the Administrator finalizes amendments to a number of existing sections in part 88, including provisions for appeals of enrollment decisions, appeals of certification, decertification, or treatment authorization decisions, and the addition of health conditions to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. Some existing language is moved into new sections for clarity. Finally, new language on disenrollment, decertification, appeals of reimbursement denials, and coordination of benefits and recoupment is added to part 88.
December 14, 2016 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 012—Atherosclerosis; Finding of Insufficient Evidence
On April 11, 2016, the
Administrator of the World Trade
Center (WTC) Health Program received
two petitions (combined into Petition
012) to add atherosclerosis to the List of
WTC-Related Health Conditions (List).
The Program conducted a literature
search for the term in response to the
Petition and found no relevant studies
regarding atherosclerosis among 9/11-
exposed populations. Accordingly, the
Administrator finds that insufficient
evidence exists to request a
recommendation of the WTC Health
Program Scientific/Technical Advisory
Committee (STAC), to publish a
proposed rule, or to publish a
determination not to publish a proposed
rule.
September 9, 2016 — Day of Remembrance: September 11, 2016
The WTC Health Program recognizes the day of remembrance and acknowledges that at this time, memories of 9/11 are all around and it can make people feel anxious, worried, jittery and/or depressed. Listed are some ways to help ease those feelings during this time.
September 8, 2016 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 013: Multiple Sclerosis (Autoimmune); Finding of Insufficient Evidence
On April 4, 2016, the Administrator of the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program received a petition (Petition 013) to add ‘‘relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (autoimmune)’’ to the List of WTCRelated Health Conditions (List). Upon reviewing the information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that Petition 013 is not substantially different from Petitions 007, 008, 009, and 011, which also requested the addition of autoimmune diseases, including various subtypes. The Administrator recently published responses to the four previous petitions in the Federal Register and has determined that Petition 013 does not provide additional evidence of a causal relationship between 9/11 exposures and autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
August 17, 2016 — Notice of proposed rulemaking: Amendments to Definitions, Appeals, and Other Requirements. The Administrator of the WTC Health Program invites comment on this proposed rule from interested parties. Comments must be received by September 16, 2016.
August 10, 2016 — The WTC Health Program is introducing the Research Gateway web application. The new application will allow anyone to search for additional information about our posted research, as well as provide insight from the researchers behind it. The research conducted plays a vital role in the health conditions currently covered by the WTC Health Program.
May 9, 2016 — Press Release: Comedian John Stewart Featured in a New FealGood Foundation Video to Reach 9/11 Responders and Survivors.
The FealGood Foundation announces a special collaboration with comedian Jon Stewart to help those affected by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Mr. Stewart joined John Feal, President and Founder of the FealGood Foundation, in a short video promoting the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. View the video below, or watch it directly on YouTube.
April 25, 2016 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 011: Autoimmune Diseases; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On January 25, 2016, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition (Petition 011) to add
"autoimmune disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis" to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions (List). Upon reviewing the information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that Petition 011 is not substantially different from Petitions 007, 008, and 009, which also requested the addition of autoimmune diseases. The Administrator recently published responses to Petitions 007, 008, and 009 in the Federal Register and has determined that Petition 011 does not provide additional evidence of a causal relationship between 9/11 exposures and autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
April 4, 2016 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 010: Peripheral Neuropathy; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On January 5, 2016, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition (Petition 010) to add peripheral neuropathy to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions (List). Upon reviewing the scientific and medical literature, including information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that the available evidence does not have the potential to provide a basis for a
decision on whether to add peripheral neuropathy to the List. The Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a
recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a
determination not to publish a proposed rule.
December 18, 2015 — President Obama signed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016” (Public Law 114-113), which includes the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.” Public Law 114-113 amends Title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act (codified at 42 U.S.C. §§ 300mm – 300mm-61) to reauthorize the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program for 75 years, ending in 2090.
December 1, 2015 — Meeting of the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee at Jacob J. Javits Federal Building, New York, NY. Note: This link will take you to the official docket (CDC-2015-0090) for this meeting at Regulations.gov where you will find all items pertaining to this meeting.
October 28, 2015 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 009: Autoimmune Diseases/Multiple Sclerosis; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On September 14, 2015, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition (Petition 009) to add the
autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. Upon reviewing the information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that Petition 009 is not substantially different from Petitions 007 and 008, which also requested the addition of autoimmune diseases. The Administrator recently published responses to both Petition 007 and Petition 008 in the Federal Register and has determined that Petition 009 does not provide additional evidence of a causal relationship between 9/11 exposures and autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a
determination not to publish a proposed rule.
September 11, 2015 — Statement from the Administrator about the Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Add Two Health Conditions to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions: New-Onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Acute Traumatic Injury. This proposal for adding these conditions is available for public review and comment for 45 days beginning on September 11, 2015.
July 10, 2015 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 008: Autoimmune Diseases; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On May 11, 2015, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition (Petition 008) to add autoimmune diseases to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. Upon reviewing the information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that Petition 008 is not substantially different from Petition 007, which also requested the addition of autoimmune diseases. The Administrator recently published a response to Petition 007 in the Federal Register and has determined that Petition 008 does not provide additional evidence of a causal relationship between 9/11 exposures and autoimmune diseases. Accordingly,
the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
July 1, 2015 — Statement from the Administrator about the four-year anniversary of the WTC Health Program. The Program provides medical monitoring and treatment to eligible 9/11 responders and survivors.
June 8, 2015 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 007: Autoimmune Diseases/Rheumatoid Arthritis and Connective Tissues; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On April 6, 2015, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition (Petition 007) to add certain
autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissues diseases, to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. Upon reviewing the scientific and medical literature, including information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that the available evidence does not have the potential to provide a basis for a decision on whether to add certain autoimmune diseases to the List. The Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
June 4, 2015 — Meeting of the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee at Jacob J. Javits Federal Building, New York, NY. Note: This link will take you to the official docket (CDC-2015-0026) for this meeting at Regulations.gov where you will find all items pertaining to this meeting.
December 18, 2014 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 006: Primary Biliary Cirrhosis; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On October 20, 2014, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition to add primary biliary cirrhosis (Petition 006) to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. The Administrator has not found sufficient scientific evidence to conduct an analysis of whether to add primary biliary cirrhosis to the List. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
November 4, 2014 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 005: Acoustic Neuroma; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On September 2, 2014, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition to add acoustic
neuroma (Petition 005) to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. The Administrator has not found sufficient scientific
evidence to conduct an analysis of whether to add acoustic neuroma to the List. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient
evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
August 29, 2014 — Statement from the Administrator about the GAO Report on the WTC Health Program Approach Used to Add Cancers to List of WTC-Related Health Conditions.
July 10, 2014 — Federal Register Notice: Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations.
This submission will incorporate the World Trade Center Health Program Enrollment, Appeals & Reimbursement (0920–0891, expiration date 12/31/2014), and the World Trade Center Enrollment & Appeals—Pentagon & Shanksville (0920–1001, expiration date 12/31/2016) into one complete package which will be called the World Trade Center Health Program Enrollment, Appeals & Reimbursement. Upon OMB approval, 0920–1001 will be discontinued.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation,
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed
to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information, to search data sources, to complete and review the collection of information; and to
transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.
July 1, 2014 — Statement from the Administrator about the third anniversary of the WTC Health Program. The changes of the past year are highlighted.
June 17, 2014 — Pre-Proposal Conference
A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2014, from 1300 to 1500, to be held in New York City, NY at:
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building
26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor Conference Room
New York City, NY 10278
The purpose of the conference is to help ensure that potential Offerors fully understand the details of work, especially the Government interpretation of the Statement of Objectives. As time permits, potential Offerors will have an opportunity to comment on the details of the requirements. Attendance at the conference is encouraged, but not mandatory, since a formal solicitation amendment, to include an electronic copy of all questions asked/answered and sign-in sheet, will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities (www.fbo.gov) shortly thereafter (accordingly, no recording devices are authorized).
In order to attend the pre-proposal conference vendors must submit a list of attendees to the Contracting Officer and Program Analyst no later than 1600EST, Thursday, June 12, 2014. Please send list to the following email addresses:
EACH question submitted by the Offeror shall be numbered and include:
(1) SOW section number and/or title (including subparagraph designations) or solicitation section and/or title being referenced.
(2) Complete description of the question
NOTE: Questions submitted in chart or graph format will not be accepted.
Proposal Submission
Offerors shall deliver the proposal electronically to the following address no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST), Wednesday, July 16, 2014.
The proposal must be signed by an official authorized to bind your organization.
June 2, 2014 — Outreach and Education Services for the CDC/NIOSH World Trade Center Health Program (Solicitation Number 2014-N-16435) published on Federal Business Opportunities website.
This is a pre-solicitation notice. NIOSH does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice. This notice is for information and planning purposes only. NIOSH will not provide reimbursement of costs associated with any documentation or communication submitted in response to this notice. Any submitted documentation, upon delivery, becomes the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned. Questions or comments to this notice should be addressed to the Contracting Officer.
This procurement, once a solicitation is released, will procure outreach and education services for the WTCHP in accordance with the attached DRAFT Request for Proposal and Statement of Objectives. Proposals will be due on or about 30 days from the date of the RFP release.
A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2014, from 1300 to 1500, to be held in New York City, NY at:
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building
26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor Conference Room
New York City, NY 10278
May 6, 2014 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 004: Cardiovascular Disease; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On March 7, 2014, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition (Petition 004) to add ''heart
attack,'' which the Administrator has interpreted to mean ''cardiovascular disease,'' to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. Upon reviewing the scientific and medical literature, including information provided by the petitioner, the Administrator has determined that the available evidence does not have the potential to provide a basis for a decision on whether to add cardiovascular disease to the List. The Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed
rule.
March 31, 2014 — Federal Register Notice: Petition 003: Kidney Damage; Finding of Insufficient Evidence.
On January 22, 2014, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition to add ''kidney damage''
(Petition 003) to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions. The Administrator has not found sufficient scientific evidence to conduct an analysis of whether to add kidney damage and/or disease to the List. Accordingly, the Administrator finds that insufficient evidence exists to request a recommendation of the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), to publish a proposed rule, or to publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
February 18, 2014 — Federal Register Notice: Amendments to List of WTC-Related Health Conditions; Cancer; Revision.
No types of cancer covered by the WTC Health Program will be removed by this action; four types of cancer—malignant neoplasms of the brain, the cervix uteri, the pancreas, and the testis—are newly eligible for certification as WTC-related health conditions as a result of this action.
February 14, 2014 — Statement from the Administrator
about the publication of an Interim Final Rule (IFR) which amends the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions found in the WTC Health Program regulations, and results in four specific cancers becoming eligible for coverage as WTC-related health conditions.
January 31, 2014 — Publication of a sources sought notice was released for an upcoming Outreach and Education Support requirement for the WTC Health Program. The notice is located on the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov). The notice number is HHS-CDC-NIOSH-SS-14-0001. This notice will remain posted until February 28, 2014.
January 17, 2014 — February 14, 2014 – Teleconference/Web Conference Meeting of the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee.
The next meeting of the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee will be held on February 14, 2014. The meeting is open to the public and comments from the public are welcome. The agenda for the meeting includes a brief update on the policies and regulations developed by the WTC Health Program and development of recommendations for research. More details regarding the meeting can be found on the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) Meetings page.
2013
November 27, 2013 — New York State Workers' Compensation Law.
On November 13, 2013, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed significant protections for World Trade Center workers into the New York State Workers' Compensation Law. The New York state legislation extends and enhances the state's workers' compensation eligibility and benefits to World Trade Center workers.
September 23, 2013 — WTC Health Program—Notice of Privacy Practices.
This notice describes how medical information about WTC Health Program members may be used and disclosed and how WTC Health Program members can get access to this information. The effective date for this notice is Monday, September 30, 2013.
September 19, 2013 — Federal Register Notice: Final Rule: Addition of Prostate Cancer to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions.
On May 2, 2013, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program received a petition requesting the addition of prostate cancer to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions covered in the WTC Health Program. In this final rule, the Administrator adds malignant neoplasm of the prostate (prostate cancer) to the List in the WTC Health Program regulations. This rule will go into effect on October 21, 2013.
July 31, 2013 — Policy and Procedures for Recoupment & Coordination of Benefits: Workers' Compensation Payment.
Defines the policies and procedures to be used by the WTC Health Program to identify and seek recoupment of funds from workers' compensation when available. It imposes duties on Responders, Centers for Clinic Excellence, Workers' Compensation Insurers and other employers providing illness and injury benefits to Responders. The effective date for this policy is September 1, 2013.
July 3, 2013 — Statement from the Administrator about the Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Addition of Prostate Cancer to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions
July 3, 2013 — Federal Register Notice: Nominations to Serve on the WTC Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee. Nominations must be submitted (postmarked or electronically received) by August 9, 2013. Note: This notice supersedes the following documents published in the Federal Register: June 11, 2013 Volume 78, Number 112, Pages 35036–35037; June 21, 2013 Volume 78, Number 120, Page 37542; and June 28, 2013 Volume 78, Number 125, Page 38983. Nominations must be submitted (postmarked or electronically received) by August 9, 2013.
May 1, 2013 — Pentagon and Shanksville, PA Crash Site Responders: Applications Now Being Accepted: Applications are now being accepted for program benefits for responders to the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA crash sites…How to Apply.
March 28, 2013 — Statement from the Administrator about the Federal Register Interim Final Rule on the eligibility criteria for responders to receive care and treatment following the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
December 10, 2012 — Clarification: FOA Number PAR-12-126: Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (U01).
The maximum funding period for the FY 13 Announcement "Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (U01)" is for up to three years. The table under the Research Objectives in Section I of the announcement will be amended to so that the long-term project period will be up to three years. The total cost per year for long-term projects will remain the same in the table.
October 1, 2012 — The WTC Health Program is now able to provide medical monitoring and treatment benefits for survivors who live outside the New York City metropolitan area. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
July 26, 2012 — Update to Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the WTC Health Program.
This Notice updates PAR-12-126 to inform applicants who plan to submit FY13 applications for “Cooperative Research Agreements Related to the World Trade Center Health Program” (PAR-12-126) awards about changes in the Application Receipt Date and the Letter of Intent Receipt Date.
July 2, 2012 — Statement from the Administrator about the one-year anniversary of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
April 2, 2012 — Statement from the Administrator about the STAC's recommendation on whether cancer or specific cancers should be added to the list of WTC-related
health conditions eligible for treatment under the WTC Health Program and what are the next steps for the Administrator in the petition process.
March 31, 2012 — Letter from the STAC to the Administrator about the STAC's recommendation on whether cancer or specific cancers should be added to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions eligible for treatment under the WTC Health Program.
March 23, 2012 — Funding Opportunity Announcement for PAR-12-126.
The purpose of this announcement is to support research projects and epidemiologic studies to help answer critical questions about physical and mental health conditions related to the September 2001 terrorist attacks including: biomarkers of exposures or health outcomes; epidemiologic studies; exposure-response relationships; improvements in diagnosis and treatment; patterns of illness (age, gender, etc.); risk factors for disease; and other research studies on WTC-related health conditions or emerging conditions.
March 21, 2012 — Letter from the Administrator to the STAC about the STAC's recommendation on whether cancer or specific cancers should be added to the list of WTC-related
health conditions eligible for treatment under the WTC Health Program.
March 2, 2012 — NIOSH Update: Extension of the World Trade Center Health Registry NIOSH plans to extend funding for the World Trade Center Health Registry which is managed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through a cooperative agreement. Continuing the registry will ensure on-going data collection for victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The registry will continue to provide a central, unified database to help assess health effects among persons exposed to the WTC disaster.
April 20, 2011 — Letters from the WTC Health Program Administrator to the principal investigators of the current WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment programs regarding the enrollment and eligibility criteria as outlined in the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (the Act). In these letters is an explanation of the Act and what steps need to be taken for responders and survivors to be enrolled in the WTC Health Program.
February 11, 2011 — Federal Register Notice: Implementation of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
Announcement of March 3, 2011, public meeting for receiving comments from the public on implementing the provisions of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111–347). The Federal government is developing an implementation plan, and comments from the public will assist in this process by gaining perspectives from interested parties on ways to meet the Act's requirements.
January 2, 2011 — Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Zadroga Act), which was signed by President Barack Obama on January 2, 2011, as Public Law 111-347. The Zadroga Act amends the Public Health Service Act and establishes the WTC Health Program within the Department of Health and Human Services. The Zadroga Act directed the Administrator of the WTC Health Program to establish by regulation certain Program procedures, including enrollment and appeals processes.
File Formats Help: