The Closure of CARD: A Blow to Asbestos Victims in Libby, Montana

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News Summary

The Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana, has closed after a court ruling against it, affecting many asbestos victims in the community.

The Closure of CARD: A Blow to Asbestos Victims in Libby, Montana

In a shocking turn of events, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) in Libby, Montana, has been forced to close its doors following a contentious legal battle with BNSF Railway. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office acted on a court order, shutting down the clinic that has dedicated over two decades to helping individuals suffering from the debilitating effects of asbestos-related diseases.

A Major Legal Setback

At the heart of this closure is a staggering judgment against CARD, demanding a payment of $3.1 million to BNSF Railway. This financial blow stems from accusations of fraudulent claims made by the clinic, which allegedly submitted false diagnoses in order to secure government benefits for patients who were never truly ill. In a 2023 trial, a jury found that CARD had issued 337 incorrect diagnoses out of over 2,000 contested cases.

For locals, the news is devastating. Since its establishment in 2000, initially as a department of St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, CARD has served as a crucial source of health screenings, monitoring, and treatment for those impacted by asbestos exposure. The clinic became a separate non-profit organization in 2003, providing essential services in a community grappling with the aftermath of toxic dust from a nearby asbestos mine.

Asbestos Legacy in Libby

Libby is infamous for its history of asbestos mining, which dates back to the 1920s. The mine operated for several decades, releasing harmful asbestos dust into the environment and subsequently putting many residents at risk. As a response to the ongoing public health crisis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List in 2002, highlighting the dire need for remediation.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of BNSF Railway, which faced its own legal challenges for allegedly contributing to the contamination by transporting hazardous materials through Libby. A federal jury explicitly ruled that the railway’s actions played a significant role in the negligent deaths of local inhabitants diagnosed with rare and lethal conditions like mesothelioma.

Immediate Consequences of Closure

The court’s directive not only resulted in the clinic’s shutdown but also allowed for the seizure of its bank accounts and properties. A locksmith was even employed to change the locks, leaving the future of the clinic uncertain. With approximately 19 employees losing their jobs, the closure has immediate repercussions on the local economy and healthcare access.

Tracy McNew, the clinic’s Executive Director, has expressed concern regarding the potential public health implications stemming from this closure, stressing the clinic’s foundational commitment to aiding patients. Despite filing for bankruptcy after the fraud ruling, the clinic had hoped to continue operating under a bankruptcy settlement.

A Cloudy Future

The situation becomes more precarious with ongoing litigation against CARD, accusing it of medical malpractice, wrongful death, and inappropriate opioid prescriptions following patients’ misdiagnoses. The fallout from these legal challenges could continue to ripple through the community, further complicating the plight of asbestos victims.

Additionally, the future funding of CARD may be jeopardized as a CDC grant that supported a significant portion of its operations is undergoing review. This uncertainty threatens to dismantle a vital resource for many individuals in Libby who rely on the clinic for assistance with their health issues.

The Community Responds

The closure of CARD not only signifies a tremendous loss for its dedicated staff and patients but also raises urgent public health concerns for the residents of Libby. Without accessible healthcare resources, the implications on community health could be severe, amplifying anxieties for those already affected by asbestos exposure.

The transition of asthma treatment facilities into legal battlegrounds underscores the dire consequences of asbestos contamination. As the dust settles from the closure, local residents, advocates, and health professionals continue to weigh the implications of this critical loss in healthcare service at a time when it’s needed the most.