Ailing 9/11 responders hammer Obama over his priorities

Ailing 9/11 responders slammed President Obama on Tuesday for sounding off on the Ground Zero mosque while keeping silent on a $7.2 billion health care bill.

"Why have you failed us? We thought you would be our champion" in pushing the legislation, John Feal wrote to Obama.

One of the thousands who worked at The Pile after the World Trade Center attacks, Feal heads the Fealgood Foundation supporting the responders.

The plight of the Ground Zero heroes, still suffering and dying from illnesses brought on by the toxic cloud over the twin towers' ruins, has taken a backseat to the political posturing over the mosque, Feal said.

The mosque's location "is not an issue for us," he told Obama.

"It is disturbing that you have the time and energy to speak in favor of the mosque, but not on the health crisis caused by the attacks," said Feal, who lost part of a foot when a steel beam fell on him during cleanup work.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens), who has worked closely with the responders on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, seconded their complaints about Obama.

"While I welcome President Obama's comments on religious freedom, I can understand why John Feal and his fellow 9/11 responders would want to hear that the President supports their cause, too," Maloney said.

The White House did not immediately comment.