On February 3, 2026, President Donald Trump signed a federal spending bill into law that secures long-term funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), the critical healthcare program treating thousands of 9/11 first responders, survivors, and others suffering from certified 9/11-related illnesses. For years, the 9/11 community has been living under the shadow of a funding gap, a fear that even though this program is authorized to operate until 2090, the bank account would run dry long before then. The new law updated the funding formula to allow healthcare operations to continue until at least 2040. As a reminder, the other federal program, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), already has funding secured until 2090, but the WTCHP has been in limbo until now.
This action ends years of uncertainty surrounding the program’s future. Law firms (including ours), advocates, and lawmakers had warned that without a change to the funding formula, the program faced a multi-billion-dollar shortfall that could have jeopardized medical monitoring and treatment for those battling cancers, respiratory diseases, and other serious conditions caused by toxic exposure at Ground Zero and other attack sites.
The New Formula
Dynamic Budget
In the past, the program received a set amount of money that did not increase enough to keep up with inflation. The new law changes the formula to include a 7% automatic annual increase plus a “per-person” adjustment until 2040. If more survivors enroll in the program, the program’s budget now automatically grows to cover them. The money now follows the patient, rather than the patient having to hope there’s enough money left in a fixed pot.
Protection Against Medical Inflation
Specialized care for 9/11-related cancers and respiratory issues is much more expensive than a standard doctor’s visit. By baking a 7% multiplier into the law, Congress has ensured the program can keep up with rising healthcare costs without having to request more money every couple of years.
“Rainy Day” Clause
The law also included a technical fix that ensures any money not spent in a given year stays in the WTCHP’s bank account. This allows the program to build a reserve fund to handle future surges in illnesses as the survivor population ages.
Roadmap to 2090
The law requires the government to provide a full report within three years that maps out every dollar needed until the year 2090. This should mean no more last-minute budget panics. The government is now legally obligated to ensure the program remains solvent for the lifetime of every responder and survivor.
The Compensation Connection
The World Trade Center Health Program was established under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and provides no-cost medical care to eligible responders and survivors. The WTCHP also certifies conditions as being related to 9/11, an important step that the VCF requires and relies upon prior to issuing compensation awards for most claims. The legislation signed on February 3 reforms the funding structure and ensures that current and future patients not only receive care from the WTCHP, but also compensation from the VCF since the certification mechanism is secured.
For the 9/11 community, this marks a major milestone. For those currently enrolled in the WTCHP, and for those who may still qualify but have not yet applied, it provides long-overdue certainty that lifesaving healthcare benefits they earned through their sacrifice will be there when they need them. We hear a common fear from prospective clients on the fence about signing up, that by enrolling in the WTCHP and VCF they are taking funds away from someone who needs it more. While admirable and patriotic, thankfully this fear is no longer valid – at least for the foreseeable future.
If you believe you may qualify for benefits under the World Trade Center Health Program or the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, it is important to understand your rights and the steps required to apply.
