With inflation rising, every dollar that a miner with black lung disease receives as part of their disability benefits has less purchasing power. But if a bill currently before Congress passes, people with the debilitating disease would see a small increase in their monthly benefits, and the level of benefits would be tied to inflation.
That change is one of many included in the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act. A recent report by Democratic staff of the House Education and Labor Committee describes the legislation as “a set of reforms to put miners and their survivors on a more equal footing with coal operators.”
In 1972, Congress established a system for miners to file a claim for benefits if they are disabled by black lung, a deadly disease caused by exposure to coal dust.. The benefits system has provided a lifeline to thousands of miners in need, but the process has been slow and confusing, and it has tended to favor coal companies over miners. In addition to adjusting black lung benefit levels, the current bill would improve access to benefits and payment of medical expenses for miners with black lung.
The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act advanced out of its U.S. House of Representatives committee on party lines this spring, with the Democrats in support and the Republicans opposed. A Senate version was referred to committee in July, but the legislation faces uncertain odds in a sharply divided Congress.
Miners and their advocates are encouraged by the August...
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