A lot of our parents and grandparents came to Northeastern Pennsylvania to work in the mines all those years ago, and here in our area we know there are a lot of health risks associated with a career as a miner. One of those risks is black lung disease, which mine workers get by inhaling coal dust. Since 1968, over 79,000 mine workers have passed away from black lung disease.
Federal law requires that coal companies compensate disabled miners with black lung disease for medical expenses, but coal companies often pay lawyers to fight these claims in court. Mine workers and their families don't have the money or legal representation like coal company barons, on top of the health care expenses they incur from fighting the disease.
Additionally, multiple studies have found that doctors who are paid by coal companies have systematically misdiagnosed or withheld medical evidence from mine workers with black lung disease, preventing miners and their families from accessing federal benefits.
Last week, I introduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, legislation that would reform the program that provides benefits to coal miners suffering from black lung disease.
Mine workers and their survivors deserve a fair benefits system based on unbiased medical advice. This bill helps ensure disabled coal miners won’t be unfairly denied.
