Black Lung Benefits Act News

Mine Worker Advocates Worried Coal Firm’s Tax Cut Jeopardizes Black Lung Fund

The Trump administration and coal industry allies are insisting that a federal black lung trust fund will continue to pay benefits to sick miners despite a drastic cut in funding. But the expected shortfalls will be covered by taxpayers instead …

Coal Industry Tax Cut Threatens Miners’ Benefits Fund as Black Lung Cases Surge

As a young man, Barry Shrewsbury dug coal in the West Virginia mines and spent his time off hunting and fishing in the rolling hills. Now, at 62, he struggles to breathe and accomplish basic tasks such as shopping and …

Coal States’ Senators File Black Lung Benefits Bill

Sens. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania unveiled legislation last week aimed at ensuring fairer treatment for coal miners with black lung disease as they pursue benefits claims. The bill by the two Democratic senators from …

Congress Urged to Help Miners with Black Lung Disease

A retired coal miner who suffers from black lung disease urged Congress this week to help clear a backlog of claims of fellow miners who have the disease. “I look to y’all to help us to get that which we …

Black Lung Rules Delayed Until September

Action on key federal mine safety and health rules are is lagging, including a rule aimed at lowering exposure to coal dust that causes deadly black lung disease. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration was expected to issue the …

Federal Healthcare Law to Aid Black Lung Victims

Proposed changes to U.S. Department of Labor rules would make it easier for coal miners and their families to obtain black lung benefits, while a West Virginia congressman aims to reduce the amount of paperwork they have to fill out …