News Summary
The Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana, faced abrupt closure due to legal battles, causing distress among community members reliant on its services.
Disaster Strikes LIBBY: Asbestos Screening Clinic SHUT DOWN Amid Legal Chaos
In a shocking turn of events, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) in Libby, Montana, has been abruptly closed by authorities, leaving many community members distressed and health outcomes in turmoil. This closure follows a court order to seize the clinic’s assets, demanding repayment of a staggering judgment owed to the BNSF Railway Company.
Closure Details
On a seemingly normal Wednesday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office executed the closure based on a legal writ of execution. The news has sent shockwaves through the community of Libby, a small town of just about 3,000 residents, located near a mine notorious for producing asbestos for decades.
Community Impact
The clinic has served as a lifeline for local victims of asbestos exposure, offering crucial screenings and treatments for over 20 years. The residents of Libby have long grappled with the consequences of toxic dust released from the nearby mine, leading to an alarming rate of asbestos-related diseases. The closure raises significant concerns about the community’s health, as lack of access to timely screening could result in dire consequences for those affected.
Legal Battles
BNSF Railway has faced numerous lawsuits stemming from claims that they contributed to the pollution in Libby by transporting contaminated materials. In a 2023 lawsuit, the railway accused CARD of fraudulently certifying patients for government benefits, stating that out of over 2,000 challenged diagnoses, 337 were deemed false.
The court ruled in favor of BNSF, awarding a judgment of $6 million against the clinic, which included claims for attorney fees, court costs, and interest. Following the judgment, CARD declared bankruptcy, but continued to operate under a settlement reached with both the federal government and BNSF, raising questions about the legitimacy of the ongoing legal actions.
Future Uncertainty
In early May 2025, CARD requested the local media to halt all advertisements as the clinic faced uncertain times. With its operations primarily funded by a CDC grant, which constituted about 80% of its budget, worries over its financial stability grew especially with the future of that funding in doubt after governmental reviews.
Ongoing Challenges
The clinic lost an appeal concerning the $6 million judgment in September 2024. Following this, CARD filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in attempts to sustain its operations, which was eventually settled in early 2024. Despite these setbacks, uncertainty reigns as the U.S. government intervened regarding the judgment payment.
Adding further complications, CARD now faces a local lawsuit related to medical malpractice and wrongful death concerning opioid prescriptions after a series of alleged misdiagnoses. This latest development has thrown the clinic’s future and its ability to provide essential services into deeper jeopardy.
Call for Action
Local officials, including Sheriff Darren Short, whose own father was a patient at CARD, have expressed their profound concerns for public health in light of these recent events. The presence of an ongoing health crisis fueled by asbestos exposure hangs heavily over the community, and without CARD’s services, the potential for significant health deterioration among residents becomes increasingly likely.
As for the question on everyone’s lips, the status of CARD remains glaringly uncertain. With its funding in limbo, legal actions ongoing, and a population desperate for screenings, the repercussions of this closure could echo for years. Libby, a town already battered by asbestos, now faces another challenge—getting its crucial healthcare resources back.
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