Rep. Anne Hughes, Vincent Caprio and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz

By Rep. Anne Hughes

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and I met with Easton resident Vincent Caprio about advocating for EMTs and the first responders who responded to 9/11attacks, and the impacted 9/11 health fund survivors. We were both surprised to learn that Connecticut has the 4th largest population of impacted 9/11 EMTs and First Responder survivors, over 1,500 Connecticut residents, many of whom are suffering with respiratory illnesses and related cancers.

Caprio is a 9/11 first responder and survivor who advocates on behalf of those who responded to help at Ground Zero, who have since been diagnosed with  cancer and respiratory disease. Many First Responders and EMTs weren’t diagnosed with these chronic illnesses until 15 to 20 years after 9/11.

About 110,000 people are enrolled in the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program, which was set up to provide medical monitoring and treatment of WTC-related health conditions. The issue, however, is the persistence required to obtain the proper certifications to qualify for the program, which creates a sometimes insurmountable barrier for life-saving treatments. Now survivors are contending with the threat of the federal budget cuts to the program, which is already due to run out of funding by 2027. We are working with our state and federal partners to address the funding and support certification and access to healthcare for all of these survivors of 9/11.

We do NOT forget their service.

Next week we will be having our NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/WIAF webinar. We will be discussing the Big Beautiful Bill and America’s $37T National Debt U.S. Debt Clock. Our special guest is one of America’s leading budget experts, the Honorable David M. Walker, Former U.S. Comptroller General.

NanoBCA/WIAF Webinar
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
2PM ET

TO JOIN THE WEBINAR CLICK THE ZOOM LINK BELOW
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81225667911?pwd=faSPmUYuUkamnz2AvpBiC0GTnwvQyA.1

Please mute your line if you are not speaking.  Thank you.

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AGENDA

2:00-2:05  Opening Remarks
Vincent Caprio
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)
vincentcaprio@nynanobusiness.org

U.S. Debt Clock

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2:05-2:15 EHS Update
Lynn L. Bergeson
Managing Director
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
NanoBCA EHS Chair
lbergeson@lawbc.com

OECD Publishes Report on Commercial Availability and Current Uses of PFAS and Alternatives in Hydraulic Oils and Lubricants

BIOTech Caucus Will Advance Domestic Bioeconomy and Competitive Posture

WEBINAR: Loper Bright: Has the Demise of Chevron Deference Mattered?, July 15, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EDT)

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2:15-2:45 The Big Beautiful Bill and 2025-2026 United States Budget
David M. Walker
Former U.S. Comptroller General

Counterpoint: Why Medicaid Reform Is Appropriate
DC Journal – By David M. Walker

New GAO High Risk List Reinforces Old Challenges
Fed Gov Today – YouTube Interview with David M. Walker

Choosing the next comptroller general is too important — don’t play politics
The Hill – By David M. Walker, Opinion Contributor

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2:45-3:00  Q&A

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3:00  Conclusion

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Our monthly webinars address topics involving the relationship between the science of nanotechnology and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), US Legislation, Education, Finance, Manufacturing and Foreign Policy. One of the benefits of NanoBCA membership is access to our previous webinars with America’s leading scientists and engineers.

Looking forward to our webinar next week.