(10/02/06) WOODBURY - Congress passed a bill Monday directing the president to establish health care for rescue workers of future natural and man-made disasters.

The provision, which does not include past events such as 9/11, is part of a larger Port Security Bill. The bill sets aside $7.4 million for new port security inspectors and nuclear weapons screening materials, but fails to specify what amount will go to the health care directive.

If signed into law, as expected, the program would establish a federal health registry and offer some health benefits for workers of future disasters. Details of what events would qualify and how long the care would be extended were not included.

Congressman Peter King (R-NY) sponsored the provision. He says even though this bill does not address health care for ground zero workers, it establishes a precedent for later legislation on the issue.