Posts Tagged ‘Black Lung’
Cuts to funding for black lung benefits
Despite significant grassroots pressure, an excise tax that pays into a healthcare and disability fund for miners with black lung was slashed in half. The lack of action by Congress amounts to a tax break for coal companies while putting benefits for former miners and their families at risk.
Read MoreVirginians brace for the fallout from Westmoreland Coal’s bankruptcy
Westmoreland Coal’s bankruptcy puts health benefits for 500 Virginians and pensions for 7,000 former Virginia miners in jeopardy. A bill proposed in the Senate would protect these benefits — and also shore up the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Read MoreBlack lung survivors take their case to Congress
Residents of Southwest Virginia went to Washington, D.C., to tell Congress about the plight of their neighbors, friends, family members and other coal miners with black lung disease.
Read MoreFederal fund for black lung healthcare in danger
Our elected representatives need to step up and make sure coal companies pay their fair share toward healthcare for coal miners with black lung disease.
Read MoreBlack Lung Disease Surges as Support for Miners Dwindles
A recent study shows that black lung disease in Appalachian coal miners is at a 25-year high — but federal taxes on coal companies that help compensate affected miners are set to expire next year.
Read MoreNew Studies Document Rise of Black Lung Disease
Researchers identified over 4,000 cases of severe black lung disease over the past 50 years, with more than half occurring in the last 16 years.
Read MoreCoal Mine Deaths Rise in 2017, Agency to Reconsider Black Lung Rule
Coal mining fatalities are nearly double what they were last year, and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration announced it would revisit a rule intended to protect miners from black lung disease.
Read MoreSevere Black Lung Disease Makes A Deadly Resurgence
Diagnoses of the most severe form of black lung disease, known as progressive massive fibrosis, are on the rise in Appalachia. The causes of this deadly trend aren’t entirely clear, though it may be linked to the silica rock dust associated with thinner layers of coal.
Read MoreNew Mine Safety Standards Survive Industry Challenge
Despite challenges from industry groups, a federal court has upheld new mine safety standards that will go into effect on Feb. 1.
Read MoreInvestigation Finds Fraud in Black Lung Cases
By Kimber Ray A year-long investigation revealed evidence this fall that the coal industry has supported fraudulent practices in order to block workers’ compensation claims for black lung disease. According to the investigation conducted by The Center for Public Integrity and ABC News, it appears that officials at prestigious medical institutions including Johns Hopkins Hospital…
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