This is looking like life insurance after the fact. Why is the government paying life insurance proceeds? Why the need to settle with someone who has died? I understand that 9/11 was a deeply sad and tragic day, but I never really understood why the families of the folks killed on the planes and in the towers or Pentagon received a large cash pay-out. I'm sure many of them had additional life insurance as well.

I remember when I was just a lowly reserve deputy that I had a hefty life insurance policy made available to me, in addition to the policies I had at work.

It looks like a trial lawyers aid bill more than a first responder's aid bill. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that these folks were there and did the hard work after the fact, but if my dad died, I wouldn't expect .GOV to send me a big check because he got sick working there. I'd expect his life insurance company to do what his policy said.

With the new healthcare law, ins't there supposed to be a portion that eliminates issues from pre-existing conditions?

Again, for folks who were on the clock, I would expect worker's comp to step in. I know folks, like the firefighter recently in the news, receive lump sum settlements, etc. when permanently disabled due to work related illnesses and injuries.

Does making a tragedy into a lottery make it all better?