As it grows increasingly likely that Congress could soon approve a scaled-down bill that aims to provide health care for the first responders to the 9-11 attacks – by cutting the amount of money paid out – White House officials called on help from an unlikely source: Jon Stewart.

On his popular TV show, Stewart devoted segments last week to focus on the 9-11 responders bill. Known as the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act, it gives medical coverage to first responders to the deadly 9-11 terror attacks.

Some responders have lost their health insurance after losing their jobs. Workers also inhaled toxic dust that led to chronic illness.

Newsday reported on Wednesday that a new version of the bill would decrease the cost to $4.3 billion from the earlier $6.2 billion. The bill would also provide five years to submit any claims and six years in which to pay them, Newsday said.

When asked Tuesday about Stewart’s focus on the 9-11 bill and thus indirectly helping to get it approved, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “there’s a good chance that he can help do that. I think he has put the awareness around this legislation. …  I hope he can convince two Republicans to support taking care of those that took care of so many on that awful day in our history,” according to a White House official transcript.  

The Examiner.com reported that the legislation was to be paid “by closing a relatively unpopular corporate tax loophole.”

Obama has appeared on Stewart’s Daily Show.

TMCnet has reported that if the bill is not approved, programs which give tests and treatment for free to approximately 58,000 people – who came into contact with ash, dust and “pulverized building materials” – could be at risk.

Senate Republicans previously blocked the bill, which in its earlier version, would have funded as much as $3.2 billion for specialized medical programs for first responders and other victims, according to an AP story carried on TMCnet.

CNN reported that settlements were reached with more than 10,000 plaintiffs – who claimed they were sick or injured as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.