How Jon Stewart (might have) single-handedly saved the 9/11 health bill [UPDATED]

Last Thursday night, Jon Stewart took it upon himself to end his one-man crusade for the Zadroga Bill, which is meant to offer healthcare services to all the 9/11 first responders who are suffering from various medical issues as a direct result of their work in the toxic Ground Zero during and after the 9/11 attacks, by criticizing the media for failing to report on it and even hosting a roundtable discussion with four actual 9/11 first responders to discuss the Republican blocking of the bill in the Senate. It was a magnificent bit, and pleasantly enough, it seems to be having the desired effect of waking people up to the issue:

The Jon Stewart Bill. I like that. The man certainly deserves that sort all the credit he can get.

(via @todayspolitics)

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Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

UPDATE: (12/21/10 3:02 PM) – Right as I posted this, I learned that the trouble is not over, apparently. Obviously eager to fulfill his required quota of jackassery, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has promised to try and block the bill yet again, citing more bullshit financial excuses. Let’s hope the Senate does the right thing for a second time this month.