“Part of the legislation: Do you really think free health care for life should apply to someone who was at ground zero for four hours?”
Have you seen the reports of the density of asbestos, PCBs and other plastics related toxins that were in the air for weeks after 9/11? If you have any you have any knowledge of environmental health and safety code you would answer ABSOLUTELY to your question.
Even 1 hour of exposure to those levels would cause irreparable harm to a person. There is a reason it says 4 hours, because that is all it takes to disable or kill you if you are genetically vulnerable.
Then why stop with the people listed in the bill? Why not cover anyone who was in NYC for four hours during the two years that the bill uses as a guideline?