Extended Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits for Many Relatives of World Trade Center Victims Running Out

Employer-sponsored health insurance policies extended to families of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center are beginning to expire, leaving many unable to find affordable health care, the New York Daily News reports. Most of the companies impacted by the Sept. 11 attacks are providing health insurance for their deceased employees' families for at least six months, though some companies are offering the benefits for longer periods. Eurobrokers, for example, has provided families with life insurance payments and several months of extended health insurance. It has also allowed them to extend their health coverage for another three years through the company's health plan for about $1,000 a month, similar to benefits available under federal COBRA law. However, the Daily News reports that many families do not have enough money to cover such costs or worry they will have to tap into savings and college funds started with money they received from charities following the attacks. At the same time, families often make too much to qualify for state-subsidized health insurance programs. In response, some groups are seeking loopholes in a New York state law that prohibits group insurance policies for those who are not union members or employed by an insured company. Vincent Pitta, a Manhattan labor attorney, is helping lead an effort to create group policies to provide free health coverage for life to widows of the attack and to their children up to age 19 or college graduation. "We're hoping to cajole the government, private companies and charities for support," Pitta said. A relief group called Helping the Heroes has also proposed that companies purchase individual insurance policies for families as a donation (Gest, New York Daily News, 2/20).