9/11 Heroes' Stroke Coverage Denied: Not Enough Proof
Published Date: 9/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The World Trade Center Health Program reviewed requests to add stroke as a covered health condition but found there isn’t enough proof to do so right now. This means firefighters, law enforcement, and others exposed at the WTC won’t see stroke added to their benefits list yet. The decision was made official on September 15, 2026, with no changes to coverage or costs at this time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Stroke Petition Denied for WTC Benefits
The WTC Health Program denied Petitions 048 and 051a asking to add “stroke” to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions as of September 15, 2026. The Administrator determined there is insufficient evidence and will not request a STAC recommendation, publish a proposed rule, or publish a determination not to publish a proposed rule.
Science Team Evidence: Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic
The WTC Health Program Science Team reviewed 18 peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies, found 9 to be high-quality, and concluded the evidence for ischemic stroke is limited (Category III) while evidence for hemorrhagic stroke and transient ischemic attack is inadequate (Category V). These evidence ratings underlie the Administrator’s decision not to add stroke to the List.
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