Press Release
Libby, MT Asbestos Screening Clinic Closes Amid Legal Battles
Libby, Montana, known for its history of asbestos mining, has witnessed the closure of the Center for Asbestos-Related Disease (CARD), a vital resource for local residents dealing with asbestos-related health issues. After over 20 years of operation, the clinic shut down last week following a court ruling mandating it to pay the BNSF Railway Company over $3 million for fraudulent benefit claims—allegations that CARD denies.
As a nonprofit, CARD provided essential health screenings and treatments to a community heavily affected by asbestos exposure from a nearby vermiculite mine. This closure compounds the challenges faced by Libby residents, already among the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the nation.
Despite filing for bankruptcy in August 2023, CARD had hoped to appeal the ruling while continuing its operations. However, with recent court decisions facilitating the seizure of its property, the future of the clinic remains uncertain. U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme indicated that the railway’s claim to enforce payment may lack legal grounding, given CARD’s federal funding.
The implications of this closure are profound, leaving many without access to necessary medical care and further complicating ongoing health crises in Libby. The community awaits clarity on CARD’s possible reopening.
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