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Sunday, September 13, 2009

9/11


After reading Illness Persisting in 9/11 Workers, Big Study Finds write a brief reflection. How has money played a role in the care of 9/11 cleanup victims? Who is at fault for the illness? What changes in finance need to be made to correct the problem? Is health care a federal, city or individual responsibility? If you would like to read a follow up article just published on the Times website before you write click here.

Who should pay for the healthcare of 9/11 workers?

Who is responsible for this issue?

Does the US government have a responsibility to care for the sick?

Do people have a right to healthcare?

30 comments:

D.Samuels said...

In my opinion i think it should be the nations obligation to pay for health care of the 9/11 workers. These are people who risked their lives and health to help people in need and pain. A lot of people say its their choice but if it was them in that building they would want someone to help them with no questions asked. This nation is just greedy and selfish. I think the gov't should have the responsibility to care for the sick just because we pay taxes, we live in the country so why can't they help their own people out? And finally i do believe that people have a right to health care just because of the fact that people are to sick to work for insurance, or never had and they are heroes for doing what they did to help the nation out in a time of need.

Philip M. said...

After reading the article “Illness Persisting in 9/11 Workers, Big Study Finds”, I think that the workers who volunteered themselves to help on ground zero should pay for their own health care. They made their health their responsibility and no one else’s by going towards the danger, instead of leaving as they were told. The workers are responsible for having the medical problems, but the terrorists were responsible for the destruction.
I believe that the government doesn’t have the responsibility to care for the sick because they do not regulate your health (telling you what to eat, when to sleep, etc.). Sickness is usually caused by people’s neglect for their own health. Just because fast food is available doesn’t mean that you should eat it all the time. Each person should be responsible for their health. Not everyone has access to health care; only those who can afford health care have a privilege, not a right, to it.

Anonymous said...

The people that should pay for the health care of 9/11 are the U.S government. Why should more money come out of the people's pockets if we already pay taxes that goes towards public services and people in need? 9/11 was a national crisis that happened in NYC but that doesn’t mean that only the people that should deal with the issue is NY. The people in NY are doing enough as it is and there’s no time to be greedy. Now it’s time for the U.S government to chip in some money. I feel they should help because 9/11 was a terrorist attack on America which the government should handle. Yes, the U.S government has a responsibility to care for the sick because this was a country attack where everyone should help each other, even the government. Everyone should have a right to health care. I think they should make it affordable so that everyone can get it. No one is really responsible for the sick on 9/11. The people that helped did it from the kindness of their heart trying to keep other people alive so they could live to see another day. Those people didn’t expect to get sick but they did. The proper thing to do is to have the U.S government help them out.

Elizabeth Pritchett

Kendra D. said...

As I stated in class, as horrible as it may sounds the only time we as a country unite as one, is when we encounter a tragic disaster. Being a hero isn’t not a job, but an instinct. There to me was no difference between the volunteer and the police officer. They both brought aid to the people who needed it most. If I see a boy getting hit by a car my natural reaction would be to run to the street to help him out. Not thinking if me running to the street will get myself hit by a car. 9/11 although was one of the worst days in many American’s lives, it was the true definition of both nationalism and patriotism. The volunteers that week saved many lives, so I think it only right they get the health care that need. I’m not suggesting it come straight for our pockets but there health should be a priority. The world goes in a circle; the only way we will make it in live is with the help of others. Its our day to help until, its our day to be helped.

rizoyt said...

"Who should pay for the healthcare of 9/11 workers?

Who is responsible for this issue?

Does the US government have a responsibility to care for the sick?

Do people have a right to healthcare? "


9/11 volunteer workers were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of others during a national tragedy. And, the way some people show a tit for tat attitude shows what level of gratefulness they are at. In the end, I personally think that the government should at least support those in financial need with their medication, and at the same time, require those who CAN pay to pay. I support this idea because it is both the government's fault, and the volunteer's fault for acquiring any ailments. The workers probably knew the risks, and didn't heed warnings, while the EPA gave false statements regarding the air quality, which might be grounds for suing the government for misleading people. I believe that if someone can't afford healthcare, they should be given limited care by the government in return for man hours working, or paying it off in a specific timeframe.

Michelle Davis said...

The Goverment shoulp help America's obligation to the thousands of Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers. These magnanimous people helped and took there time out to help up clean up Ground Zero. Now that they got these conditions maybe months or years later and knowing that they need healthcare something should be done about it. People who want to give and help these sick people should, but dont raise taxes that people cant afford or anything like that , because they have other things to worry about. It's not fair that the Polocemen and FireFighters got there care and not others. If the goverment knew that this would effect these people health then why did they still send them . Now that they have a big problem in there hands they should have thinked ahead and had everything glued together.

Supreet Singh said...

I agreed with Kendra during our class discussion. I think that the people who volunteered during the clean-up of September 11 should get money for health care and it shoul be up to the people to decide if they should get money or not. People can donate money if they want to help out the people who helped our country when we were in need. I think that the Government should set up donations for the people who are ill after the September 11th clean up.

adetayo o. said...

After hearing a few people in class speak its helped me even more to realize how people are letting money control the way they think and it’s just ludicrous the way their mind is working. People in class were talking about it's natural for people to get sick and everyone dies, but what if the 9/11 volunteers decided that they didn’t want to go out and assist the firemen who are medically insured. I believe that the numerous disease causing dust could’ve effected more people then it did. Like those who lived in the ground zero area and if it did happen like that who do people think would’ve been paying then? The volunteers were told it was safe to go in and help out and now that the volunteers are getting sick left and right nobody wants to take responsibility. I truly believe anyone who can help to get the volunteers in need of medical assists than they should, whether it’s the government, New York State, or a National thing something must be done!

Minoli Shah said...

After reading the article on illness persisting 9/11, I understand that many people we consider “hero’s” now, are getting ill, and having breathing problems because the smoke that was caused after the world trade towers were collapsed. These “hero’s” are now asking for health care which I believe is unreasonable, because lets look at it this way, you wanted to be a hero, well now you are one so have a great time and now you pay for it, because lets be realistic who is going to want to pay for a guy that wanted to be superman and save the world? I know I certainly am not going to want to pay taxes for the text of my life for someone that didn’t take time to think about what would happen to him in the long run. Like Mr. Brown said in class, the government was telling people to go away, they didn’t need people. It would have been a different story if no one was willing to help and than the volunteers went out to help because no one else was willing to do so, than maybe I would have thought about paying for these peoples health insurance. I think that at this point Health Care is your individual responsibility.


As for the question, does the US government have a responsibility to care for the sick, yes; they should look after sick people, but is it a right? Most defiantly not! It is not a right and I don’t believe that it should be, because they day health care becomes a right, like Mr. Brown said, McDonald's and Burger King should be shut down.

Hogan,I said...

I believe the 9|11 workers should be fully compensated of their health insurance by Untied States Government. But at the end of the day, the full responsiblity lies on the shoulders of the tax payers. The terrorist should take full responsibilty for this event. I also believe that the USG is obligated to support those who are less fortunate not those who are able body human beings. I think everyone should have the right to health care because they deserve it. In the world that we are living in now, health car is a individual responsibilty.

Mr Tesler said...

Hello, WB!

Just wanted to let you know that we read the same article in my Sr. Gov't class. Here's the link. Let's see if we can figure out how to link up these classes!

http://wjps-seniors.blogspot.com/2009/09/assignment-2-sept-11th-illness.html

ShantelW. said...

I agree with Philip, I think the people who volunteered their services should pay for their own health care. I know it sounds mean but we didn’t ask for their help. They did a good deed but we shouldn’t have to pay for their decision. Who ever told the volunteers it was safe to go in and help & the volunteers are responsible for this issue. If no one said it was safe for them to go in I don’t think so many people would have been involved. The volunteers should have thought of the negatives before helping even though they said it was safe to go in. Yes, I think the government should take care of the sick but that might also cause a problem. Many people in the world are sick and need help but I think the people who seriously need it should get assistance from the government first. I think everybody has a right to health care but unfortunately not everybody can afford it.

Samaroo, A. said...

9/11 was a time of peril and disaster. Thousands of people died in the attack. Many people ran away from the wreckage, but some precious few ran towards the cloud of smoke, not once thinking of themselves. Instinct told them others were in danger, and they had to be helped. Now, years after the devastating events, they themselves are feeling the aftermath of that terrible day. They themselves are hurting. They themselves are trying to LIVE. And the most just argument many people can come up was, "it wasn't their job, they chose to be heroes, and, by that extent, chose to live with the consequences". Well I say this, you would not feel that way if it was days or weeks after the attack. You would not say that if it was your uncle, or aunt, father or mother, gasping on a hospital bed. I understand money is slim right now, but, you can't put a price on a life, at least thats what I think.

Ana J. said...

I think that the volunteer workers should pay for their own healthcare. Of course, it was a nice, heroic thing to do. They probably didn't think about the consequences that may have followed along the way but they took their chances. I agree with what Philip said. The terrorists are the responsible ones for the attacks, not the volunteer's medical condition. The government isn't responsible of your own health. You have to remind yourself to go see the doctor a few times and such. They're not there to help you out.

J. Yang said...

After reading the article, "Illness Persisting in 9/11 Workers, Big Study Finds" I believe that the government does not have the responsibility to pay for the healthcare of the people who "volunteered" to help. Making the government pay for the healthcare of all the workers that are ill is just insanity, but I do agree with what Supreet said. We shouldn't be forced to pay for all the sick workers, we should have the option to help. People who feel like they want to help can maybe donate money to help, but it shouldn't be mandatory.
As for peoples rights to healthcare, well I think that it should depend based on each individual. In class Christina said, "Should people that aren't doing anything with their lives deserve healthcare too?" Well to answer her question, I would say no. People who are out on the streets selling drugs and making no attempt to do better shouldn't deserve the right to healthcare. To me it just isn't fair.

jasmyn said...

This topic is extremely controversial but I feel that since 9/11 was a national tragedy, it's the nations moral duty to cover the health care of the volunteers. For the sake of the country, these people put selfishness aside to assist in a crisis. Instead of criticizing them for making a poor health decision, we should be thanking them for their heroic actions. We tend to individualize ourselves when problems arise but instead we should come together as a nation. These volunteers believed in this if they were willing to put their lives at risk. So I believe that these people deserve health care.

nbeckford ! said...

I’m still a little skeptical about my opinion on this topic, so excuse my uncertainty ! .. I definitely agree with Elizabeth. I feel that we don’t need to be working more or giving extra money to the government if we’re already paying taxes that caters to the needs of the military, human and physical resources, Medicare/Medicaid, etc. I believe healthcare should be given to those in desperate need of it provided by the US government, whether or not they can or cannot afford it. But I honestly don’t think we should be giving additional money towards the healthcare of those who weren’t required to be a “hero” on 9/11. I understand it’s instinct for some people, but sometimes you’ve got to think about yourself first, especially in situations like this one.

Ashley A said...

The government and the volunteers both share the responsibility on this issue, neither is innocent. The government said the air was safe and the volunteers took the risk. The government should have some sort of fund to provide workers with money, based on need. The US government does have responsibility to help the sick. Being sick does not make you any less of a citizen and governments job is to make this country the best if can be for alls its citizens.

Victoria.O said...

Ater reading and hearing about the 9/11 attack I think the state and the city and state government of NY should pay for the health care of 9/11 workers because 9/11 should be considered an attack against the whole country. I also think the high jackers and the airliners to be responsible for this issue, the high jackers for being so hateful to America and the airliners for being so lax for letting the high jackers in without society. The US Government should be responsible to take care of the sick because as a nation we should care for everyone living in our boards and the government was made to help the people.

Neal,B said...

Money has played a big part for the 9-11 clean up victims or in this case the lack of money. I think if our country wasn’t in the current economical state were in now there would be no problem helping out the 9-11 victims. I also feel that the victims are to blame for their current illness and even though I feel bad for them no one told them to run in a dangerous area and I don’t feel people who are already struggling money wise should pay more money for people that put their self in harms way. I feel healthcare is an individual responsibity if your responsible for what you eat and how your treat your body your responsible for what happens when you get sick

A.Tejada said...

I’m not exactly sure who should pay for the healthcare workers of 9/11. I don’t think anyone is responsible, the reason why is because they wanted to help on their own no one asked them to so why are they now wanting to ask and say they need healthcare coverage you should of thought of that before you joined all the smoke and big crisis situation… but us as Americans we tend to unite as Kendra said when there is a big crisis. I do believe that the government should pay for there healthcare plan if it is necessary but if not- then dont. Also I think people do have a right for healthcare even though they should of thought of what they were getting into. Any who they just wanted to help and become heroes, who doesn’t want to do that in a time when your most needed.

C. Reyes said...

I think that the situation involving health care is a difficult one to talk about. I know that I wish every person who helped out at such a rough time in our country’s history could be fully taken care of. However these things just aren’t that practical. I think that the 9/11 workers should definitely get some kind of help. There should be some funding to help with the symptoms that they acquired while working on the site. But where would the funding come from? Who should be paying for this? I think that if people were to speak out more and have fund raisers every little bit would help. I also think that the government should help in some way. I understand that we are in a recession but if the government was to give the people some kind of help even if it’s a small contribution it could make a difference. I disagree with D. Samuels’s statement that “it should be the nations obligation to pay for health care of the 9/11 workers”. I think that no one should feel “obligated”, people should want to help. The people who are now dealing with these health problems were trying to do a good thing and help out at a horrible time. I don’t think anyone is responsible for the after effects. I agree with Minoli that the people who are facing breathing problems now chose to be “heroes”. So they should take responsibility, but as a nation we should be united and try to help out. As for the “right” to have health care I think that every individual should be responsible for their own health care. I agree with Jackie “it just isn’t fair” because some people are putting themselves in danger by joining gangs and things like that.

geneva b. said...

I think that the people who volunteered themselves to help clean up ground zero should pay for there own health care.The reason why they should pay for there own health care is because they put their self in that kind of danger and after that got sick and want us to pay for there health care.The person is responsible for the issue is the volunteered of there own sickness and health.I don't believe that the government have responsibility to care for the sick.Yes people have the right to health care so that when they get sick and go to the hospital and the people in the hospital ask what kind of health care do they have.They should have health plus,aarp..etc

Arianna :] said...

After reading the article “Illness persisting in 9/11 Workers Big Study Finds” I think that the nation should HELP pay for the health care of 9/11 workers. As Kendra stated the country united during this tragic disaster. Volunteer workers weren't thinking of the consequences of there actions in helping the relief efforts, but rather acted on instinct. Although they were not asked to help- rather they were asked to go home. The fire fighters and police officers jobs were to help in the relief efforts, so there fore their health care is paid for.


But I do also agree with Phillip, the government should not be responsible for everyones health care. For the fact that they do not control everything we do; like what we eat, if we smoke or drink. So why should they be responsible for everyones health care?


The terrorists who flew the planes into the Twin Towers are responsible, but aren't here to pay for all the damage that they caused. I wouldn't think they'd care too much either... I do not think the government has a responsibility to pay for the sick, because most illnesses are self inflicted, or neglected.

Alvarez S. said...

I agree with Denzel, the government should pay for the health care.
The government knew what these volunteers were going to go through
health problems before any American citizen knew.So why should
we come out of our pockets and pay for health care, of course this
sounds wrong because we would ask the same questions if we were in
the perdicament that they were in but the government has more money than any
citizen. If we were to give the people that needed health care due to the 9/11
crisis it'll probably take longer to get the health care from us than the government.The government has to right to take care of thier problem because they
were the ones that didn't stop volunteers from coming down. All they were thinking about that it was free and they didn't have to get
one penny out. If the government could give money for other causes there shouldn't be not reason they can't give for a reasonable cause. What are we getting out
of this other than less money in our pocket. Not saying that people aren't subjected to health care of course
we should have it but there should be some kind of alternative saying that other than the people should pay for it. Yes its a priviledge to have it
but also there is always a catch to something that we always try to get.

M. Karim said...

i agree with Ana saying that the volunteer works should have to pay for there own healthcare because as Mr. Brown said in class all heroes are not happy ( superman not having a girlfriend). The issue is that the government told everyone to stay away from the ground zero area and did not ask for volunteers. so i think the volunteer itself should be responsible for themselves. the U.S Government does have the responsibility to take care of the sick, but it should be in some other way besides taking it from our pockets. People do have the right to healthcare at a low affordable cost.

M. Karim said...

i agree with Ana saying that the volunteer works should have to pay for there own healthcare because as Mr. Brown said in class all heroes are not happy ( superman not having a girlfriend). The issue is that the government told everyone to stay away from the ground zero area and did not ask for volunteers. so i think the volunteer itself should be responsible for themselves. the U.S Government does have the responsibility to take care of the sick, but it should be in some other way besides taking it from our pockets. People do have the right to healthcare at a low affordable cost.

J.Phillips said...

I think that the volunteers of 9/11 should be provided with healthcare. I have never met anyone who has focused on the risk their life may have in a situation where they may be saving the life of someone else. Many people risked their lives to save the lives of others, without those volunteers many people may not be alive today. So as a thank you I think that they should be rewarded with the health care. You also have to think of the situation as if it was you. No i dont think that the government is fully responsible, but i think a portion of finances should go to these people in order to help them with any bills or hospital costs they were not able to cover because of lack of money or no health insurance.

Anonymous said...

I think that the government should pay for the healthcare of 9/11 workers. I say this because any citizen working hard and giving the government tax all year round, then they should be the ones to pay for their healthcare.The terrorists are responsible for this issue. The US gov't don't have a responsibility to care for the sick because its the people's choice to smoke and continue to eat knowing that their putting their lives at risks f cancer, cholesterol etc. People do night have a right to health care.

- Jessica R.

t HAiRStON said...

Responding to Illness Persisting in 9/11 Workers, Big Study Finds I am a bit more leanient with who I feel is to blame for illnesses due to 9/11. Before being at a certain view point I thought it was only right for the state government to pay for people's hospital bills that were effected by 9/11 but now I disagree.

I feel that anyone who's duty it was to go towards the obstruction should first and for most be compensated because it is their jobs to help those in need whether that means they must sacrifice or gamble their lively hood at the same time, and to be appointed for such a task it should be a requirement to be taken care of if anything fatal happens during the call of duty.

But as far as city street workers, venders, citizens, and other random people who felt it wad necessary that they go in and try to help I do not feel that they should get government payed health care. Even though it is a upstandable quality in a person and a selfless act in general to risk your life to save others but if you did it under false pretence, not knowing exactlly what it is that you're doing you should in a way expect for the worse to happen.

The only reason I protest every patient who's been diagnosed with an illness due to 9/11 is because if the government pays for everyone and anyone who goes to a hospital claiming to be sick on account of the accident our economical system would steadily decrease because we had to pay hundreds of thousands of medical bills and expences. Then what would have been the purpose of hiring police officers, medical aids and assistance, firemen, and ambulette drivers. Why pay and train groups of people for specific events as 9/11 if everyone that sees a crumbling building decides they just had to do something?...