Obama Administration U-Turns on 911 Responders’ Health Fund

~~By InsightAnalytical-GRL

After grinding any chance of real health care reform into the ground, you probably won’t be surprised by the latest from the Obama gang.

The New York Daily News is reporting:

Team Obama to double budget for treating 9/11 responders in an amazing same-day U-turn

WASHINGTON – The White House suddenly boosted funding for ailing 9/11 responders yesterday – pumping more government money into the treatment program than ever before.

Team Obama ponied up the cash only after outraging New York lawmakers with the news the administration won’t back a permanent plan to help the dying Ground Zero responders.

The White House confirmed it will more than double the budget for treating ill responders to $150 million in 2011.

The abrupt reversal came after the Daily News revealed New York lawmakers were shocked Wednesday when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the administration does not support an $11 billion permanent treatment plan.

Surprised?

The delegation hopes President Obama will reconsider and put victims of the terror strike on a footing close to wounded soldiers, perhaps even funding the 9/11 health bill with the military.

Don’t hold your breath…

Although 911 responder advocates are happy that there will be more money available in 2011, it’s not a real solution to the lack of  permanent funding:

But lawmakers still believe a permanent fix needs to be made so responders don’t have to go hat in hand every new budget and political cycle.

“Sebelius made it clear that the administration does not support any kind of funding mechanism that’s built into the bill,” said Bronx Rep. Eliot Engel. “They find money for everything else, they need to find money for this.”

Yes, Rep. Engel, they sure do find money for everything else, don’t they?

Hey, if 911 responders can’t get money for their health needs, what chance do the rest of us have for secure access to health care??