Outbreak Victims Share $22 Million

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The Massachusetts Attorney General's office has distributed some $22 million to victims of the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak but time is running out for additional victims to claim an additional $18 million.
Aides to Maura Healey, the Massachusetts official, say they are continuing efforts to reach additional victims before Sept. 30 when any uncommitted funds must be returned to the federal government.
A total of $40 million was allocated by the U.S. Justice Department for victims of the outbreak which sickened some 800 patients, killing more than 100 of them. The outbreak was caused by steroids contaminated with deadly fungi produced by the now defunct New England Compounding Center.
The deadly steroids were shipped to health care providers across the country for injection into the spines and joints of unsuspecting patients.
Although the formal application deadline for victims to claim allocations from the fund expired on Dec. 30 of last year, Healey aides, working with the aid of federal law enforcement officials, have been conducting an outreach effort to contact victims who have yet to file a claim.
Many victims say they were reluctant to file claims for fear they might have to pay back the grant at a later date. Officials say that is not the case.
According to Healey's office, a total of $22 million has been distributed to date to over 500 victims. A total of 651 victims have been identified as eligible.
Under the program, victims can receive an initial grant of up to $25,000 and an additional $25,000 if certain conditions are met.
Victims can still fill out a grant application by contacting the program directly 617-573-5375 (toll free 844-315-0399).
The last minute contact effort comes as two NECC figures, Barry Cadden and Glenn Chin, are facing 11 counts of second degree murder in Livingston County Michigan. They are scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing June 11.
Cadden was president and part owner of NECC, while Chin was a supervising pharmacist overseeing production of the deadly steroids.
The two already are serving federal jail terms following their conviction on racketeering and mail fraud charges.
Two additional NECC defendants are scheduled to go on trial April 29 in federal court in Boston, Mass. Five others are awaiting sentencing following their conviction late last year.
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