Patients and members of the community joined Center for Asbestosis Related Disease staff and board members Tuesday afternoon in Libby for a ribbon cutting at the new CARD Clinic.

CARD Executive Director Tracy McNew welcomed the guests while Board President Leroy Thom did the honors.

Lincoln County Republican Party President Tony Wickham read a statement upon behalf of Libby resident and candidate for Senate District 1 seat, Steve Gunderson. Gunderson was unable to attend the event because he was helping care for a relative battling cancer.

"Thank you everyone who continues to support CARD in its efforts to provide free asbestos health screenings to those exposed to Libby Amphibole Asbestos while living, working or recreating within Lincoln County, Montana MT at least 10 years ago," McNew said. "Feel free to stop by our clinic in Libby to see the clinic or to make a free asbestos screening appointment. You can also call us at 406-293-9274 or visit us online at libbyasbestos.org  to learn more about the available free screenings and make your appointment."

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

The new clinic, located at 118 W. Third St., was first opened after the original clinic was closed May 7, 2025, following a court order seeking $3.1 million by BNSF Railway, the sheriff was forced to close the building and seize its assets.

The railway sued CARD and won a judgement in 2023 by railroad giant BNSF, owned by billionaire Warren Buffett, that accused the clinic of filing hundreds of fraudulent claims over several years.

CARD opened in 2000 and the non-profit clinic has served thousands of area residents exposed to Libby amphibole asbestos. That year, CARD was established as a department of St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, now known as Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. 

In April 2003, CARD separated from St. John’s and became a non-profit. It moved to its previous location in 2004.