View retirees checkmate

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today announced that New York City retirees will receive information about the Mount Sinai World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and the WTC Environmental Health Center at Bellevue Hospital.

Information about the free programs will be included with checks sent to 82,000 retirees of the five New York City Pension Systems. Retirees who receive quarterly electronic fund transfers will soon receive the information as well.

“It is crucial that anyone who may have worked or volunteered downtown after the attacks on the World Trade Center be fully aware of potential health problems,” Thompson said. “Volunteers, rescue and recovering workers and clean-up workers should take steps to protect their health and be vigilant about ongoing examinations.”

The information – contained in what is called a “Checkmate” insert – details a groundbreaking report by Mt. Sinai Medical Center about ongoing physical health problems encountered by rescue, recovery and clean-up workers who responded to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC).

“Retirees who have symptoms they feel are due to exposure to the dust and debris resulting from the WTC collapse are eligible for the treatment program available through the Bellevue Hospital WTC Healthcare Center,” the insert reads.

The Bellevue program is funded by the New York City Mayor’s initiative and the American Red Cross Liberty Disaster Relief Fund, and works in coordination with community groups including the Beyond Ground Zero Network, the 9/11 Environmental Action Committee, the WTC Residents Coalition, and local community boards.

“Since responders’ health problems have not gone away since 9/11, ongoing monitoring is very important,” the insert reads. “Some diseases can take decades to develop, so long-term monitoring is critical….Ongoing monitoring can ensure that new health problems are caught early, when treatment is most effective.”