Lincoln County Board of Health Receives Funding
$1.5 million from Health and Human Services
by KLCB Libby News Radio
November 29, 2007
Governor Brian Schweitzer was in Libby Wednesday with an early Christmas gift to the community.
The Governor presented the Lincoln County Board of Health with a check for 1.5 million dollars from the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The money is for health care services for persons affected by tremolite asbestos related disease over the next two years.
The funds were allocated by the 2007 legislature to address some of the health care challenges created by exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the W.R. Grace mining operation. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services awarded the funds through a request for proposals that was open to all Montana county boards of health. The Lincoln County Board of Health was the only respondent to the request, and has been granted the funding. The funds will be used to supplement healthcare needs related to tremolite asbestos exposure that are not covered under the current W.R. Grace health insurance plan or other types of medical care coverage.
The Governor said there is a second issue, that being he will not allow the Environmental Protection Agency to leave Libby until EPA completes the cleanup and fully funds their work here.
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