For decades, coal companies ignored a federal requirement to provide enough funds for black lung benefits — and the government let them.
Blog Archives
Federal negligence allowed coal companies to shrug off their responsibility for black lung benefits
TAGS: Black Lung black lung association black lung disease Coal self-bonding U.S. Department of Labor
Black Lung Healthcare Legislation Sees Progress
Congress temporarily reinstated a tax on coal companies that funds black lung benefits for miners and their families in December. Advocates continue to push for further protections for coal workers.
Progress on healthcare for miners with black lung disease
Congress reinstated a tax to fund healthcare and benefits for miners with black lung and their families for 2020 — but further action is needed to extend the tax and support the fund for 10 years.
Bills Support Miners’ Pensions, Black Lung Benefits
A Senate bill would help fund miners’ pensions, including those affected by recent bankruptcies. In the House, a bill would re-instate a historic tax on coal companies to fund healthcare for miners with black lung disease.
The Black Lung Association Responds to the Deadly Disease’s Rise
The Black Lung Association has a storied history of fighting for miners’ rights to occupational healthcare. Today, that fight continues as rates of the disease continue to climb.
Bankruptcies Highlight Concerns with Black Lung Benefits Fund
Coal company bankruptcies are putting the federal Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in further jeopardy.
Blackjewel’s black lung problem
Bankrupt coal company Blackjewel owes nearly $10 million in taxes to the fund that provides benefits to miners with black lung disease whose employer has gone bankrupt.
TAGS: bankruptcy Black Lung black lung association Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung disease blackjewel
Coal miners visit D.C. to urge Congress to act on Black Lung legislation
More than 150 coal miners or their widows and loved ones traveled to D.C. in July to call for action on black lung legislation.
Over 100 Miners Heading to Washington to Advocate for Black Lung Benefits
Over 100 miners from across the Appalachian region are traveling to Washington D.C. this week to lobby lawmakers on a number of issues related to black lung disease, a fatal respiratory condition caused by continuous exposure to harmful dust and rock particles in and around coal mines.
TAGS: appalachia Appalachian Culture Appalachian Voices Black Lung Black Lung Disability Trust Fund black lung disease blacklungkills Coal Coal mining employee benefits Environment Health mountaintop removal coal mining
What is Congress going to do about black lung’s resurgence?
In June, advocates for black lung healthcare testified before Congress and urged them to act on the deadly disease’s resurgence. Donate today to help send coal miners with black lung to D.C. in July to fight for the healthcare they deserve!
TAGS: Black Lung Black Lung Disability Trust Fund Congress Hearing U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration United Mine Workers of America
