[elalmhicabalp]

LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-na-...8.story?page=2

Congressional Republicans are coming under growing criticism for their opposition to a bill that would provide medical care for Sept. 11 attack responders and survivors, including ailing police officers and firefighters.

As advocates press for Senate approval, Republican resistance to the measure has grown increasingly untenable.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, the GOP fashioned itself as the party that celebrated the heroism of the Sept. 11 workers, but now is seen by many as stalling the healthcare of last resort.

"I can tell you, whoever votes against 9/11 responders a couple of days before Christmas is truly un-American," said John Feal, a former demolition supervisor who lost a foot when a steel beam fell on it during recovery efforts at the World Trade Center.

...

The bill would provide medical monitoring and treatment to those who responded to the World Trade Center site, as well as residents, workers and schoolchildren in the surrounding community — many of whom were told it was safe to return to their homes and offices as the recovery was underway, officials said.

The funding, provided through an existing World Trade Center health program, would allow coverage for 25,000 responders and 25,000 community members, bringing to more than 100,000 the number of people covered through the program. The legislation would also reopen the Victim Compensation Fund, which closed to claims in 2003.

The cost of the bill would be paid by charging fees on foreign companies that provide goods to the U.S. government and continuing existing visa fees on tourists and companies that hire certain foreign workers.

[v74ClzKY]

What the effing hell, man? How can you possibly vote against this?!

A few days ago the GOP also blocked the Child Marriage Prevention Act. They are basically giving a big fat middle finger to anyone who isn't a rich white CEO. I don't understand how anyone can defend them after this voting streak.