While current CARD Clinic patients work to retrieve their medical records, there are some positive signs that a new clinic may operate in the future to serve those in need as well as those who may have yet to be diagnosed.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which administered the grant that kept CARD in operation, is seeking entities to take on the program that would resume screening and outreach work.

While it is not known when a new operator may begin services, federal officials say the annual funding is estimated to be between $3 million and $4 million.

The location would be in Libby while serving people in it and Troy while additional screenings may be available nationally through a distributed provider network.

The CDC published a request for information (RFI) earlier this summer for programs that have an interest in running the Asbestos Screening, Innovation and Transition program. The health agency also wants to modernize and renew the long-term screening and outreach strategy with what it terms, “predictive modeling and data analytics.”

The response deadline for the RFI is Sept. 7.

Wednesday, at the Lincoln County Commission meeting, Public Health Manager Zach Sherbo spoke about the matter.

“The county is advertising for a Health Resource Coordinator who will be responsible for providing administrative support for the Lincoln County Health Department’s public health programs and acting as the Asbestos Health Resource and Transition Coordinator,” Sherbo said.

According to the job posting the position is funded through the State of Montana’s Strengthening Public Health Workforce grant. The responsibilities include greeting and assisting the public in person and on the telephone, appointment scheduling, file management and administrative support for a variety of activities in the department.

“We’re still trying to figure out what exactly that looks like,” Sherbo said. “But at least that way, for our community, we’ve got someone that can hopefully answer questions the best they can as it relates to records or anything else related to the void of the CARD Clinic.

“Again, (we’re) attempting to meet with outgoing administration there at the CARD to understand the full scope of that and how much we will be taking on.”

County health department director Kathi Hooper told The Western News Thursday that she hopes to have the county position filled next week. The phone number for the new Health Resource Coordinator will be 406-283-2463. 

She also spoke about the federal grant. 

"The Board of Health and Health Department have been involved in meeting with a larger group of key individuals (researchers, university, etc.) to develop a proposal to ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Subtances and Disease Registry). The county may have a role in future services under this grant but will not be the applicant," Hooper said.

Part of the CDC’s request for information is a chart revealing the substantial decrease in the number of screenings since 2012 and the number of screenings that were positive for asbestos related diseases.

In 2012, there were 1,062 screenings with just under 600 positive for ARD. In 2024, there were about 200 screenings with 49 positive for ARD.

Officials said if those figures maintain their current decline, screenings would be about 200 in 2027 and could approach zero in 2032.

Officials say the program consists of three main components:

Screening and Outreach: Conduct annual health screenings for asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) such as pleural plaque, asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This includes education and awareness campaigns to reach eligible individuals;

Technological Innovation: Identify, test and integrate new diagnostic tools and digital health platforms to improve disease detection accuracy and efficiency;

Strategic Research: It includes using data to forecast future screening needs and ensure local healthcare infrastructure can support impacted residents. Specific tasks include administering standardized surveys, conducting various screenings (spirometry, chest radiographs with B-reader evaluation), implementing low-dose CT screenings for high-risk individuals, communication for outreach, piloting AI-assisted imaging technologies, collaborating with research entities to understand exposure impacts and updating screening protocols based on the latest scientific findings.

Bidders must demonstrate experience in conducting health screenings related to asbestos exposure. They should have capabilities in technological innovation related to diagnostic tools and data management systems. Key personnel must possess relevant qualifications in epidemiology or public health. Additionally, bidders should have established relationships with local healthcare providers to facilitate referrals.