Recently, the  Wall Street Journal discussed Sheila Birnbaum's, new Director of the 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund, decision to exclude mental health coverage. MHA-NYC believes that the 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund should recognize the entire range of trauma, illness and disability caused by the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Read our letter to the editor here:

Dear Editor,

We were disappointed with Sheila Birnbaum's recent decision ("New 9/11 Fund May Not Pay to Treat Mental Illnesses," June 21) to exclude individuals suffering from serious long-term mental health effects of the trauma of 9/11 from the 9/11Victims' Compensation Fund.

It's a step back from the progress we've made in removing the stigma associated with mental illness. There has been a national acknowledgement of the link between physical and mental wellbeing and a movement to provide more integrated healthcare for people suffering from mental health and substance abuse conditions. The 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund should follow suit.

The proposed rules contradict federal and state parity laws and health care reform, which require that coverage for mental health services be on par with physical health services. These laws recognize that limiting or denying access to treatable mental health conditions is not only discriminatory but can lead to significant hardship for those affected.

We believe that the 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund should recognize the entire range of trauma, illness and disability caused by the attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

Best,
Giselle Stolper | President & CEO