N.Y. Lawmakers Urge Action On 9/11 Health

WASHINGTON — Members of the New York congressional delegation are stepping up criticism of the Bush administration's response to health problems suffered by employees who toiled at ground zero after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In a letter sent yesterday to the head of the federal World Trade Center Task Force, Admiral John Agwunobi, lawmakers including Senators Clinton and Schumer took the administration to task for delays in developing a plan for long-term health monitoring and treatment. "We were assured the plan would be completed by the end of February," they wrote, urging Mr. Agwunobi to detail a plan "without delay." They expressed disappointment with Mr. Agwunobi's testimony last week before a House subcommittee, in which he would not provide a specific timeline for implementation of recommendations that the taskforce is charged with making. Area lawmakers are expected to hold several more hearings on the health effects of the attacks, and the administration's response.