BROWN, CASEY, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BILL TO IMPROVE THE BLACK LUNG BENEFITS PROGRAM

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act. The legislation helps miners who have suffered from "black lung' disease and their survivors access the workers compensation they are entitled to receive under the Black Lung Benefits Program. The legislation helps miners and their survivors access legal representation, ensures benefits are not eroded due to inflation, reduces the time for processing claims and protects taxpayers from taking a hit when a self-insured coal company goes bankrupt and cannot pay black lung claims.

"Ohio miners put their health at risk to power our country," said Brown. "They've suffered enough. They shouldn't have to navigate an interminable claims process riddled with red tape, all to get the benefits they have earned."

Decades ago, Congress established the Black Lung Benefits Act in conjunction with the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to provide monthly compensation and medical coverage for coal miners who develop black lung disease and are totally disabled. A GAO report found that miners often lack the necessary medical and legal resources to develop evidence to prove their claims. The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act makes needed updates to the Black Lung Benefits Act to ensure Congress is fulfilling its commitment to the Nation's coal miners. Senators Brown, Casey, Manchin, Kaine and Warner also introduced the Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Act in 2021 to extend the current black lung excise tax for another ten year period.

The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act is endorsed by United Mineworkers (UMWA), Appalachian Citizens' Law Center (UCLC), BlueGreen Alliance and Appalachian Voices.

Read more about the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act here.

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