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Fingers Crossed: In Regards to the FACT Act
Opposing HR 526: The Furthering Asbestos Transparency Act 2015
Washington D.C. – 4 Feb. 2015
On February 4, 2015 House Resolution (H.R.) 526 made it to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.
H.R. 526, also known as the Furthering Asbestos Transparency Act (trying really hard to not use quotation marks here around transparency*), packs a huge punch to anyone fighting for asbestos related diseases.
It is hotly contested by BOTH parties. Each with its own interests to maintain, certainly. However, I believe one side to be leading the charge against wrong-doing and for the people a little better than the other. Let me tell you why …
Heading in to the House
On a rather warm (for February anyway) a group of people who have, and in rememberance of those 
who died from Mesothelioma, joined together to journey to Capitol Hill in Opposition of the FACT Act: HR 526. Not knowing much about it other than what I had read previously, I left my mind and my ears open.
Together the 20 or so folks who truly have a bone to pick with all of Capitol Hill**, ventured to the House. First we met for a briefing of the day to come, and were able to discuss and ask questions about our hearing.
A quick lunch.
Then on to the room in which the hearing would commence.
Both Republicans and Democrats filtered in and out of the room as their time allowed. If they were up next to speak, then they’d appear only moments before. Most, not all. And not the Chairman from Pennsylvania or the Senior Rep from Georgia.
Click to watch the hearing from 2/4/2015
Boiling all of the comments and discussion and minor quarrels away, this is what I heard: This is a fishing expedition. No one knows if there is a problem. No one knows if ‘officials’ are 
looking in the correct places to find problems. But basically, let’s throw one of them there healthy looking people on the operating table, cut ’em open and see if they gots anything wrong with them.
OH! and if I find something, let’s put it, the patient’s name, address & relevant info on a public website so all of the companies who also thought this was a great idea can find all of their (no longer) private information.
I hardly believe this bill is doing what it was once intended to do. Somewhere, someone probably felt really strongly about protecting someone or some entity. Now it appears to me that while these patients have their “private” information displayed for big business to see, cross examine, and delay or deny coverage for – the same businesses absolutely do NOT want THEIR info available EITHER. And in no way does this so-called FACT Act require them to do anything. (*one of the reasons I want to put Transparency in quotes!)
These beautiful faces say it all
Furthermore the Republican Chairman could have offered 5 minutes to a victim to respond to Representatives questions or to make a simple statement. He could have done the right thing and made it happen. Instead he blamed the Democrats who once held House majority for his reasoning not to DO THE RIGHT THING, despite multiple requests to hear from us.
Not a smiling matter, but with a group like this it’s good to remember the joy in the moment
My final epiphany from the day simply reveals that instead of curbing the overall problem of asbestos and it’s continued use, the Government would rather have these ridiculous hearings. HEY CONGRESS THERE IS AN END IN SIGHT! Just ban this cancer causing crap.**
#BANASBESTOSNOW (ban asbestos NOW)
Action Against Asbestos 