Posts Tagged ‘Black Lung’
Coal miners head to the Hill, calling for black lung protections and disability benefit improvements
Next week, coal miners and their families, doctors, attorneys and supporters are traveling to the nation’s capitol to meet with senators and representatives to advocate for improving black lung benefits and protections.
Read MoreHouse members introduce bill to increase black lung disability compensation
Today, three U.S. representatives introduced the Support Our Miners Act, a bill that will increase the black lung disability payment that miners and their families receive.
Read MoreAdvocates release policy solutions to help miners with black lung
Today, Appalachian Voices and partners unveiled the 2026 Federal Black Lung Policy Platform. It is intended to provide federal lawmakers with a policy framework to address the scourge of black lung disease and improve the Black Lung Program for coal miners and their families.
Read MoreTrump administration to reconsider black lung protection rule, costing more miners’ lives
The rule should have gone into effect to start protecting workers last April, but in a filing Wednesday, the administration said it is starting a new, “limited” rulemaking.
Read MoreFighting for breath: Miners and advocates take their plea for stronger black lung protections from the coalfields to the Capitol
Coal miners and advocates rally for long-promised silica protections to stop the rise of black lung across Appalachia.
Read MoreCoal miners, advocates rally in Washington, D.C. to protest attacks on black lung and miner protections
Today, more than 80 coal miners, members of Black Lung Associations, and other supporters rallied outside of the Department of Labor building in Washington, D.C., to protest the delay in implementing long-awaited silica dust protections for coal miners, along with funding and staffing cuts to mine safety and research.
Read MoreHouse subcommittee to vote on cuts to mine safety tonight
On Labor Day, a House Appropriations Subcommittee released its draft funding proposal, which would cut funding levels for key mine safety agencies.
Read MoreRussell County passes resolution supporting black lung benefit increases
Last night, Russell County supervisors passed a resolution urging U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith and U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to support legislation increasing black lung benefits.
Read MoreAppalachian Voices applauds Senate Appropriations Committee for pushing back against cuts for black lung and miner safety programs
Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to advance its Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill. The package includes funding for mine safety and black lung programs.
Read MoreMiners and Advocates Push for Better Black Lung Benefits and Protections
On a rainy May afternoon, nearly 20 members of the Southwest Virginia Black Lung Association Chapter II gathered in Big Stone Gap to discuss the black lung crisis, which has been rising among Appalachia’s coal miners, often at younger ages.
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