By JAMES G. ZUMWALT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/27/AR2005042701862.html

Thursday, April 28, 2005

As a veteran who has witnessed the horrors of an asbestos-related disease, I am concerned that the April 19 editorial "Asbestos Milestone" failed to accurately represent the asbestos reform issue being negotiated in the Senate. While I agree with the majority of stakeholders that a federal initiative is necessary to resolve the asbestos crisis, I do not agree with the suggestion that the asbestos trust fund bill sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) represents what may be the "last, best chance" for Congress to resolve the asbestos litigation crisis. In addition, this editorial failed to recognize the most important stakeholders in the negotiations -- asbestos victims.

In reality, Mr. Specter's bill represents the best chance for Congress to pass a bill that will help corporations and insurers while shortchanging asbestos victims, particularly those suffering from mesothelioma. It is clear that the editorial viewed the bill from a corporate perspective, de-emphasizing asbestos victims' rights to compensation and their constitutional right to pursue claims in court.

The bill would not provide victims with "prompt and predictable payments" but rather would cause them major financial setbacks. They would receive far less than what is needed to cover their medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.

This bill may be "significantly better than past bills" for corporations and insurers but not for asbestos victims. They deserve far more than what Mr. Specter is offering them.

JAMES ZUMWALT

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