**GAO-07-892**                      Published: Jul 23, 2007. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

Responders to the World Trade Center (WTC) attack were exposed to many hazards, and concerns remain about long-term health effects of the disaster and the availability of health care services for those affected. In 2006, GAO reported on problems with the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) WTC Federal Responder Screening Program and on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) distribution of treatment funding. GAO was asked to update its 2006 testimony. GAO assessed the status of (1) services provided by the WTC Federal Responder Screening Program, (2) efforts by CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to provide services for nonfederal responders residing outside the New York City (NYC) area, and (3) NIOSH's awards to grantees for treatment services and efforts to estimate service costs. GAO reviewed program documents and interviewed HHS officials, grantees, and others.

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## Topics

Health Care

Disease detection or diagnosisFederal aid programsFederal employeesHealth care programsHealth care servicesHealth hazardsInteragency relationsOccupational health and safety programsProgram managementTerrorism