Rep. Sherrill Applauds World Trade Center Health Program Decision to Add Uterine Cancer to List of Covered Conditions

Announcement Comes After Congresswoman Led Efforts Calling for Inclusion and Expedited Decision

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced that uterine cancer has been added as a covered condition under the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). Previously, uterine cancer was the only cancer not covered through the program.

“I am proud that we are finally fulfilling our promise to 9/11 first responders, including the many women who ran into danger and put their lives on the line for our country that day and on the days that followed,” said Rep. Sherrill. “With today’s announcement, women who worked at Ground Zero will now receive coverage through the WTCHP for all cancers they suffered as a result. We can never fully repay the debt of gratitude we owe to these responders, but we can at least ensure they have access to medical care they need and deserve.”

“Although as it has been a long process, I am relieved and happy that Uterine Cancer has finally been included to the WTCHP list of covered condition. I have been working with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office for over five years and saw positive progress the last two years. Thank you to Rep Sherrill and her amazing staff, Dr. Udasin (Director of the NJ WTCHP facility) and the wonderful tenacious 911 women (as well as families of loved ones lost to UC) affected by uterine cancer who shared their stories and fought for this final decision. The women will now be able to receive the care and financial assistance they deserve,” said Dr. Tammy Kaminski.

“I am grateful for the efforts of the congresswoman, our patients, and all of the people at NIOSH for including uterine cancer as a World trade center covered condition,” said Dr. Iris Udasin of Clinical Center of Excellence at Rutgers University.

“Representative Mikie Sherrill and the other Members of Congress who joined in her letters urging expedited action on including Uterine cancer on the list of covered conditions should be commended for working to ensure expedited action by the CDC,” said Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of 9/11 Health Watch.

In 2021, Rep. Sherrill led a letter with 20 Members of Congress calling for uterine cancer to be added to the list of World Trade Center-related health conditions. Following the Congresswoman’s advocacy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it would study whether to add uterine cancer as a covered condition at a meeting of the WTCHP Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (WTCHP STAC).

After the study and public comment period ended in 2022, Congresswoman Sherrill sent an additional letter alongside a  bipartisan group of Members of Congress to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the CDC, and the Program Administrator for the WTCHP urging expedience in making the final determination on adding uterine cancer to the list of covered conditions by WTCHP.

The WTCHP provides medical treatment and monitoring to those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks and covers a number of different types of cancers. More information on the WTCHP, as well as program eligibility and coverage, can be found here.

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