Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City Wants More WTC Health Aid
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 14, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 14, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg announced plans to expand the city's response for World Trade Center-related health illnesses, after a panel found many things, such as many people didn't even know there's a WTC health program at Bellevue. Now the city plans to ask Washington D.C. for $150 million a year for programs; establishing new to keep everyone aware of what's going on; and, perhaps most importantly, reopening the Victim Compensation Fund and ending various legal disputes victims have been enduring.
At the same time, the death of Cesar Borja continues to be news. Trumpeted as a 9/11 first responder, retired cop Borja died of pulmonary fibrosis last month while awaiting a lung transplant. His family believed his illness was caused by working at Ground Zero (doctors did think it was possible, though there's no conclusive evidence) and the media and politicians alike seized his story. Yesterday, the NY Times revealed at Borja did not work at the WTC site immediately after September 11 or work 16 hour shifts as previously described by other newspapers, most notably the Daily News, which paid for Borja's son Ceasar to attend the State of the Union as Senator Hillary Clinton's guest.
The Daily News spoke to Ceasar Borja in light of the new facts about his father's service. Borja said, "Why are they attacking my father's honor? I don't see my father [as] any less of a hero. To me, heroes are heroes." Borja feels the Times is trying to discredit his father, as well as others afflicted after working at Ground Zero, but one could also argue that the Times was clarifying the public record.
The NY Post wastes no time, offering a story about how other people suffering from WTC-related illnesses are worried that their claims may not be believed because of interest in Borja's story and the Times' follow-up. Plus the Post has an editorial: Death of a Myth, which has the line "...there is also no substantial reason to believe that he was sickened by conditions at Ground Zero, or that he was harmed by government negligence - city, state or federal." The Times, at least, in its coverage yesterday did offer a statement from Mount Sinai doctors, who said that Borja's more limited-than-previously-thought exposure could have led to the illness. A Post PR person also sent an email to Gawker, belittling the Daily News' attempt to get a Pulitzer with its "Forgotten Victims of 9/11" series.
Tagged
9/11
bloomberg
Ceasar Borja
Cesar Borja
clinton
daily news
death
gawker
government
ground zero
health
hillary clinton
mayor
mayor bloomberg
media
mount sinai
news
News: NYC
ny post
ny times
people
Senator Hillary Clinton
september 11
the city
the daily news
The NY
The NY Post
the times
Trade Center
washington
Washington D
world trade center
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
News
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .