Ignoring India`s concerns, Obama signs 9/11 health care bill

Washington, Jan 3 (PTI) Ignoring India's concerns and
veiled warning that it would drag the US to the World Trade
Organisation, President Barack Obama has signed into law a
bill that would provide free health care to the first
responders of the twin-tower terrorist attack in New York in
September 2001.
Obama took some time off from his vacation in Hawaii
to sign the bill that provides for a fund of USD 4.2 billion
for the free health care to 9/11 responders, a portion of
which is being raised by extending an increase in some
categories of H-1B visa fee that would mainly affect Indian IT
companies. India has objected to such an increase.
It also imposes a two per cent levy on goods and
services the US imports from certain developing countries,
including India. An extension in increase in H-1B visa fee is
estimated to cost Indian companies USD 200 million.
Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma had termed it as
a retrograde step for greater trade engagement with the US.
"I was honoured to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health
and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery
workers, residents, students, and others suffering from health
consequences related to the World Trade Center disaster have
access to the medical monitoring and treatment they need,"
Obama said in his signing statement.
"We will never forget the selfless courage
demonstrated by the firefighters, police officers, and first
responders who risked their lives to save others. I believe
this is a critical step for those who continue to bear the
physical scars of those attacks," he said.
The bill is named after James Zadroga, an NYPD
detective who died of 9/11-related illnesses. "It was a
bittersweet battle and this is a bittersweet victory," said
Joseph Zadroga, father of James Zadroga.