Libby asks governor for asbestos funding

The Daily Inter Lake

The Libby Community Advisory Group has petitioned Gov. Brian Schweitzer to include $3.25 million in his proposed budget to provide medical services for Libby asbestos victims.

Specifically, the group has asked that the Libby Asbestos Medical Plan and ARD-Net get the funding. The Libby community is gathering signatures in support of the budget request, Tanis Hernandez, outreach coordinator for the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, said in a press release.

In a letter sent Dec. 23, the advisory group reminded Schweitzer that for almost a decade, the Libby community resolutely has been working to resolve a number of issues related to asbestos contamination from the former W.R. Grace vermiculite mine near Libby.

As time goes by and the health effects of asbestos contamination become more pronounced, the need for quality health-care services increases at an alarming rate, Hernandez said.

"The Libby health-care providers offer vital services to those suffering the ravages of asbestos-related diseases," she said. "But these services come at a cost, a cost that many patients can no longer afford … the needs outstrip the available resources."

One of the payers of last resort is the Libby Asbestos Medical Plan, which was established by the Libby community with money received from a court settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Grace. The initial $2.75 million almost has been exhausted, Hernandez said.

Libby got $1.5 million from the state during the last biennium, but that money also will be depleted within the next few months.

"At the current rate of use, LAMP funds from the state will be exhausted in February, which will not even complete the biennium period the infusion of funds was intended to cover," Hernandez added.

Many Libby asbestos victims depend on LAMP to pay for the health-care services such as oxygen, hospitalizations, surgeries and home assistance ? services that provide the necessary support preventing several people from moving into nursing homes.

Rep. Jerry Bennett plans to introduce a bill asking for the funding and has promised to work closely with the governor to secure the necessary funding.

Libby residents are encouraged to contact the governor's office and their local state representatives, urging them to support the $3.25 million funding request. Petitions are located at the CARD clinic, the EPA Information Center, Libby City Hall, Libby Chamber of Commerce and other businesses in the Libby and Troy communities.

For more detailed information contact Hernandez at 406-293-9274.