Hhs Announces Health Care Grant For Montana
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide $1.7 million in funds to support long-term health care needs for residents in Montana, particularly residents in Libby and Lincoln County. The funds will be used to develop innovative programs to assist individuals exposed to asbestos.
Since 1999, HHS and the Environmental Protection Agency have evaluated human asbestos exposures in Libby, Montana, where up to 70 percent of homes and up to 30 percent of businesses contain asbestos.
Under the awards, HHS’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will provide $550,000 to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for conducting periodic medical screening related to exposure to asbestos for eligible participants and an additional $40,000 in funds to conduct an economic analysis of follow-up testing and care for asbestos-related medical conditions. This activity will be jointly funded through ATSDR and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The ATSDR is also utilizing $1 million in funds to develop a Tremolite Asbestos Registry (TAR), which will allow the latest medical research and treatment advances to be communicated to affected persons and their health care providers. The TAR will enable ATSDR and Montana health officials to follow progression of disease over time.
In addition, the department announced $180,000 in awards supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address special health care needs, psychological and social services, and asbestos education and outreach.
