Libby mesothelioma, asbestos health care gets federal funding

Dec 29, 2009

Residents of Libby, Montana can breathe a little easier, so to speak, now that county health workers have begun tapping into a $6 million grant provided by the federal government to treat people with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. A public health emergency was declared in Libby back in June, but residents have been living with asbestos-related diseases for many, many years due to W.R. Grace’s vermiculite mine there.

Grant money will cover the cost of both screenings for asbestos-related diseases – some of which can cost up to $2,000 – and health care treatment for individuals who are diagnosed with those diseases. For people who have a mesothelioma diagnosis and health insurance, grant money will cover their remaining treatment costs. For those who don’t have health insurance coverage, the government grant money will foot the bill.

There are thousands of people in Libby who are affected by asbestos-related diseases. The hope is that more people will come in for screenings now that the cost is being covered for them. The health benefits became available on November 9, but the screenings themselves did not begin until a week later on November 16.

For the full story, go to KECI.

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