Sen. Lynch to attend Iron Range hearing on mesothelioma

06/27/2007

Sen. Lynch to attend Iron Range hearing on mesothelioma



(Rochester, MN) -- Thursday, June 28, Senator Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, will
attend a public hearing in Mountain Iron, Minnesota on the Department
of Health and their failure to disclose cases of mesthelioma on the
Iron Range. Additionally, Sen. Lynch, who serves as the Vice Chair of
the Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division, attended a
joint House/Senate hearing held at the Capitol Tuesday, June 26 on
the same issue. "The hearing on Tuesday uncovered the failure to
disclose information on new mesothelioma cases was far more than
mistake on the part of Commissioner Mandernach," said Sen.
Lynch. "The Department of Health has failed the people of Minnesota,
and most certainly the Iron Range."

In March of 2006, the Department of Health discovered an
increased risk of mesothelioma in Iron Range miners, finding an
additional 35 cases of mesothelioma, a type of cancer usually caused
by asbestos exposure. Sen. Lynch said instead of notifying the public
immediately about this public health risk, the new information was
suppressed for an entire year before being made public.

"The public expects the Department of Health to protect,
maintain and improve the quality of health of all Minnesotans, not
just when it is convenient, politically correct or financially
feasible," said Sen. Lynch.

Thursday's Mountain Iron meeting will take place at will the
Mountain Iron Community Center along Highway 169 at 6:30 P.M.