A new grant program to help provide

screening for asbestos-related diseases is already accepting

applications.

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus announced the new

program to help provide care for those in Libby and Lincoln County.

The senator created the program as part of his work to secure

health care coverage for asbestos victims.

“Although we can never fully right the

outrageous wrong that took place in Libby, we can fight to make

sure the community has the tools it needs to heal. This new grant

program for asbestos-disease screening is another important step in

that healing process,” Baucus said. “I want to thank health care

providers like the CARD Clinic who are already providing great

screening and health care to folks in Lincoln County. I’ll continue

doing all I can to help Libby heal and raise awareness to prevent

horrible tragedies like this from ever happening again.”

CARD provides asbestos screening and

healthcare for those with exposure to asbestos.

“CARD greatly values the unwavering

support of Sen. Baucus to make this screening grant available which

will allow uninterrupted screening to continue in Libby and across

the nation” said Dr. Brad Black, CARD Medical Director and Lincoln

County Public Health Officer. “We thank Sen. Baucus for his

dedication to finding long term solutions for populations impacted

by public health emergencies.”

The grant provides health screening to

those in Libby and Troy, but also funding for nationwide screening

programs. It’s also designed to help raise awareness of screening

programs and information on those who are eligible for Medicare

benefits.

Applications for the grant are being

taken until April 25. The total estimated funding for the grant

program is $10 million.

Baucus also helped secure health care

for asbestos victims. Those victims have been eligible for Medicare

since spring 2010.