Rudy Giuliani seeks 9/11 health fund coverage as lawyer links pneumonia to Ground Zero exposure

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is battling pneumonia, has sought help from a federal healthcare program to cover his medical expenses.

The federal program, the World Trade Center Health Program, was created to provide free medical treatment to emergency workers and others who developed long-term health issues after being exposed to toxic dust and debris following the 9/11 attacks.

Rudy Giuliani seeks 9/11 health program benefits

Giuliani, who served as mayor of New York City during the September 11 attacks, has reportedly applied for enrollment in the World Trade Center Health Program.

Speaking to the New York Times, Michael Barasch, Giuliani’s lawyer, said that his health issues are linked to the time he spent at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks.

He explained that the former mayor worked at the World Trade Center site after the attacks, where many emergency workers and officials were exposed to toxic dust and debris.

Barasch argued that Giuliani is eligible for the federal World Trade Center Health Program.

“I’m representing him to get him into the World Trade Center Health Program so he can enjoy the same benefits of healthcare at no cost to people who have been certified with 9/11 illnesses,” Barasch said.

“Civilians like Rudy Giuliani are entitled to the same free healthcare as the cops and firefighters.”

Giuliani has now been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He was admitted to the hospital with a serious case of pneumonia.

Rudy Giuliani diagnosed with restrictive airway disease

Former New York City Mayor Giuliani’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, said in an X post on Monday, May 4, that Giuliani “ran toward the towers to help those in need” following the collapse of the Twin Towers, where many people were exposed to heavy dust and smoke.

Giuliani’s girlfriend also reiterated the claim in an X post, suggesting that the former mayor became “trapped” after running toward the collapsed towers to help people.

Giuliani’s girlfriend, Maria Ryan, wrote, “Upon emerging from the building he was covered by white dust. He spent a lot of time at Ground Zero for months. In subsequent years he developed restrictive airway disease from the toxins.”

“He remains in the hospital. He is aware of the prayers and he feels them. He is a deeply religious man. Keep the prayers coming.”

Doctor links Rudy Giuliani’s illness to 9/11 exposure

Medical experts told the outlet that Giuliani’s condition could be connected to breathing in toxic air after the attacks.

Dr Jacqueline Moline, who has treated 9/11-related illnesses for years, said his exposure at the site “certainly could have contributed to his pulmonary condition.”

“It was one of the most common early conditions that we saw after 9/11, and for many people it persisted.”