New York police and fire responders who developed health ailments as a result of their exposure to the toxic fumes, dust and smoke of ground zero lauded the passage of the 9/11 health bill once named for an NYPD detective.

The bill that provides $4.3 billion to cover ongoing health care for sick responders cleared its biggest hurdle on Wednesday, when the Senate unexpectedly approved it. A few hours later, the House approved this version 206 to 60, reports the New York Times.

Here's an excerpt:

The 9/11 health measure calls for providing $1.8 billion over the next five years to monitor and treat injuries stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at ground zero; New York City would pay 10 percent of these costs.

The bill was initially called the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, named after the NYPD detective who took part in the rescue efforts at ground zero and later developed breathing complications. He was the first NYPD responder to die after the initial attacks, in January 2006.

The city's medical examiner concluded his death was not directly related to the attack.

Read the full report at NYTimes.com.

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