Tester Meets With Advocates from Libby

Senator Continues Fighting for the Health of Folks in Lincoln County

(U.S. Senate) – Building on his commitment to the people of Lincoln County, Senator Jon Tester hosted representatives from Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) at his Washington office today. Dr. Brad Black, Tanis Hernandez, and Tracy McNew met with the Senator to discuss health care funding, asbestos awareness week, and the status of the Superfund cleanup site in Libby.

“The work that CARD does is critically important,” Tester said. “These are good folks stepping up to take care of their community and I couldn’t be more proud to represent them in the Senate and support them as they work to restore health to folks in Lincoln County.”

Tester has been a consistent supporter of CARD’s work and a strong advocate for asbestos awareness and disease prevention since being elected to the Senate.

CARD was established in 2000 after hundreds of area residents died of asbestos exposure and widespread screenings revealed an increased rate of lung abnormalities within the community.

Over the last 16 years, CARD has brought screenings and treatment to hundreds of Libby residents.

Senator Tester has helped them carry out this very important mission by fighting to pass the Affordable Care Act, which established four year screening grants for the Center, while securing an additional 4-year, $10 million grant for the clinic last year. Tester also cosponsored a Senate resolution, which passed last month, declaring this week “National Asbestos Awareness Week.”