Beshear Urges Congress to Support Expanded Benefits for Those with Black Lung Disease
Beshear said the bill would restore monthly payments and medical coverage for miners as black lung cases in Appalachia reach a 50-year high, officials said.
- On Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear sent a letter to Kentucky's congressional delegation urging them to support the Support Our Miners Act to increase black lung benefits for disabled miners.
- Appalachia is experiencing its highest number of black lung cases in nearly 50 years, while benefits have decreased 30 percent since the Black Lung Benefits Act's 1969 inception due to inflation erosion.
- Single miners currently receive only $794 monthly, though inflation adjustments suggest that figure should exceed $1,200; the Support Our Miners Act would establish annual cost-of-living adjustments to prevent future erosion.
- Dozens of local governments from both Republicans and Democrats have passed resolutions supporting the bill, yet most of Kentucky's federal delegation has remained silent, with Rep. Hal Rogers citing concerns about the trust fund.
- Introduced by Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Summer Lee, H.R. 9556 has not received a hearing since June 30, though proponents argue Congress must act now to assist disabled coal miners.
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Jessamine Journal
Beshear urges Congress to boost black lung benefits for Kentucky miners
FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – With Appalachia currently facing a resurgence of black lung disease, Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter on Thursday to Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, urging them to support […]
KY’s Beshear backs black lung bill in Congress • Kentucky Lantern
Gov. Andy Beshear asked Kentucky’s congressional delegation in a Thursday letter to throw their support behind a bill amending the Black Lung Benefits Act to “provide adequate benefits for miners suffering from black lung disease.” The Black Lung Benefits Act “provides monthly payments and medical benefits to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung […]
Beshear urges support of legislation increasing benefits for victims of black lung disease
Beshear urges support of legislation increasing benefits for victims of black lung diseaseBy Tom Latek Kentucky Today With Appalachia currently facing a resurgence of black lung disease, Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter on Thursday to Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, urging them to support expanded benefits for those affected. The Governor noted that the proposed Support Our Miners Act (H.R. 9556) currently before Congress would increase bene…
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