Tell Congress: Support miners with black lung
As the region celebrates the history of coal, we also have the opportunity to do right by the miners who built that history.
As West Virginia University celebrates West Virginia’s coal legacy during the Mountaineers’ first ever Coal Rush game on Saturday, it’s important to remember the whole story of coal in the region. Central Appalachian coal miners powered the country for generations. Coal mining is hard work, with miners working long hours in dusty, dangerous mines to extract the resources that powered our country for generations. The sacrifices they made are immense. Now, thousands of people are suffering from black lung disease — a deadly and debilitating disease caused by exposure to coal or silica dust in the mines. The disease is not going away; in fact, it’s getting worse, with younger miners getting sicker than ever after just a few years in the mines.
Black lung is a devastating diagnosis that robs miners of their health and their jobs, leaving their families struggling to make ends meet. Coal miners with black lung are eligible to receive healthcare and a monthly stipend, but the process is complex, and coal companies often fight tooth and nail so they don’t have to pay for the benefits.
Even still, the monthly stipend hasn’t kept pace with inflation since it was created over 50 years ago. In fact, the stipend is worth 30% less than its original value in 1969. That’s because it’s tied to the federal government employee pay scale, which doesn’t necessarily rise with inflation each year, and sometimes it doesn’t increase at all.
Coal miners with black lung and their families rely on this stipend to make ends meet. These miners contracted black lung because coal companies aren’t doing enough to protect miners while they work. These families deserve a stipend that keeps up with the cost of living.
As the region celebrates the history of coal, we also have the opportunity to do right by the miners who built that history. As Congress works on next year’s budget, Black Lung Association members are asking lawmakers to support legislation that will permanently ensure that the black lung stipend receives an annual cost-of-living adjustment, and they need your help.
Congresswoman Carol Miller and Congressman Mooney have done everything they can to avoid helping our coal miners. They have blocked the silica rule enforcement for the safety of miners.