Baucus Delivers Additional Health Services For Libby Asbestos Victims

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today announced additional asbestos-related health services to be included under the health care coverage he secured for Lincoln County asbestos victims in the Affordable Care Act. 

“The people of Libby and Lincoln County suffered a horrendous injustice in the name of greed, and we have a responsibility to help them heal however we can.  We secured a Public Health Emergency Declaration in Libby to make sure these folks had access to all the tools they needed.  Providing Libby victims with the consistent, reliable, health care they are entitled to under the law is the least we can do to help right this outrageous wrong,” Baucus said.

Dr. Brad Black, Medical Director of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby said, “CARD, our patients, and the Libby community greatly appreciates Senator Baucus’ work to secure legislation to provide long-term asbestos health benefits and screening.  Medicare benefits, the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease and ongoing asbestos screening are critical services for the affected population of today and tomorrow.”  

CARD is a community based non-profit organization established in 2000 that is committed to providing asbestos screening and healthcare related to the Libby asbestos exposure.

“While some in Congress are trying to end Medicare as we know it for Montanans, we strengthened it and improved access to better health care for folks in places like Libby,” said U.S. Senator Jon Tester.  “Today the people of Libby have better access to the health care services they need and deserve.  It’s a powerful investment in Montana’s people.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said today the agency would begin covering the additional benefits July 1, 2011 under a permanent pilot program Baucus included in the Affordable Care Act to ensure Libby victims received the full range of services needed to treat asbestos diseases.  Benefits cover services not already included under Medicare coverage Libby asbestos victims now receive under the law, including:

• Special home care services;
• Special medical equipment;
• Help with travel to get care;
• Special counseling, for example, help quitting smoking;
• Nutritional supplements; and
• Prescription drugs not covered by Medicare drug plans (Participants in the Pilot Program must be in a Medicare drug plan to receive this benefit.) 

According to CMS, individuals participating in the Pilot Program will also be able to work with a nurse case manager to coordinate their health benefits and receive individualized care planning. 

Today’s news is the third step in Baucus’ provisions to secure health care coverage for Libby under the Affordable care Act.  In Spring  2010, as part of Baucus’ provisions, victims of asbestos exposure in Lincoln County began getting care under Medicare.  In March of 2011, Baucus announced a grant program to help Lincoln County health care providers screen for asbestos-related diseases.  Before the new program announced today, Libby asbestos victims relied on temporary and uncertain grants programs to receive the additional care they needed.

Story from  Jennifer Donohue•D.C. Press Secretary•U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana