Due primarily to New York officials' objections to the money they would have to provide — along with Congress' preoccupation with the proposed Wall Street bailout — Congress has shelved a $10.9 billion bill that would have provided health care to sick Ground Zero workers. According to the New York Post, the city would have to pay $500 million over 10 years, which would directly fund $5.1 billion in health care costs for WTC workers and area residents. The additional $6.8 billion the bill would provide would go towards re-opening the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Mayor Bloomberg initially lobbied for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to support the bill when it was first introduced, but now has withdrawn his support. Jason Post, a spokesman for the mayor, called the current measure "a step backward from the bill introduced in July." The city's share reportedly is five times what the city currently pays for its 9/11 program.