Concerns About Asbestos Bill From Whitehouse -- MesoLink.org -- 02-27-06

The Whitehouse has expressed some concerns about the latest asbestos bill being pushed through the senate. The Whitehouse has stated that there are various parts of the bill – designed to wipe out court based asbestos legislation and transfer all cases to the trust fund system – that are causing concern. One of the bill sponsor’s, Senator Arlen Specter, has agreed that there are areas that need to be sorted out.

A written statement was issued by the Whitehouse, part of which stated that work was required "to strengthen and improve this important legislation." Budget Committee democrats have estimated a $150 billion shortfall with the trust fund, and the risk of a cash shortage is one of the primary concerns with regards to the trust fund bill.

Arlen Specter made a brief statement about the concerns raised by the Whitehouse: "There are serious concerns that the administration has and I have, and ultimately, we're going to work through them as best we can. And then we're all going to have a judgment to make as to whether we think the bill, imperfect as it may be, is better than the current system."

He also said to reporters: "There is no doubt that this bill is better than the current system."