Over the weekend Democrats introduced their health care package which includes a provision that would assist the people in Libby, Montana who have been exposed to asbestos.    The language is vague proposing an expansion of Medicare for “victims of environmental health hazards.”  It also refers to the federal government’s declaration of a public health emergency on June 17th.  This declaration was for the residents of Libby, Montana many of whom have been affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.  Connecting the dots – one can see the provision is meant to assist those exposed to deadly asbestos from the vermiculite mine located in Libby.

The plan includes other proposals including expanded health care benefits for more than 30 million people.  It also has provisions that would assist specific state issues.  State leaders are weighing in on their issues and parties are taking sides.

Victims, families and advocates should watch how this progresses as the health care package weaves through our legislative process.  The Senate is hoping for a final vote on Christmas Eve.

For the complete story “Deep in Health Bill, Very Specific Beneficiaries”

Yesterday a house panel approved a bill that would ban all use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.  The bill would prohibit importation, manufacture, processing, use and distribution of asbestos.  The asbestos ban will need to be approved by the plenary before implementation.  Legislators are pushing to come to a resolution on this bill before the close of this year’s Congress.  Supporters feel an urgent need to move swiftly to reduce continued exposure risks.

Currently, the Philippines have banned the use of brown (amosite) and blue (crosilodite) asbestos.  The new bill will include white (chrysolite) asbestos which continues to be used in fire proofing products, roofing felts, asbestos cement roofing and flat sheets.

Advocates spoke about the long term consequences of asbestos exposure including mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.  They also discussed second hand exposure risks to families of workers who are exposed to asbestos.

I applaud the Philippines and their efforts to work towards a full ban of asbestos.  I hope other countries continue to take action resulting in a global asbestos ban and decrease in amount of people affected by deadly asbestos.

Complete story – House panel approves bill seeking to ban use of asbestos

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) released a statement today in regard to the Manhattan Beach City Council passing Resolution #6223.  The resolution urges state legislators to change California’s state rock.  Currently, California’s state rock is serpentine which often contains chrysotile asbestos.

ADAO has begun a “Drop the Rock” campaign which encourages statewide action on this issue.  The Manhattan Beach resolution to repeal serpentine as the state rock is the first official request to CA legislature.  The organization supports this change because asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.  They hope the campaign will bring about a change in the state rock and also increase awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

For more information visit the ADAO website.