BISHOP AND ROGERS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO ENSURE TIMELY HELP FOR COAL MINERS WITH BLACK LUNG DISEASE
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02-D) joined Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05-R) to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that would expedite approved benefits from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund for coal miners with black lung disease. The John “J.L.” White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act is named in memory of a former coal miner from Williamsburg, Kentucky who passed away before receiving the benefits for which he had been approved.
“Coal miners who have developed black lung disease do not have the luxury to wait for their benefits from the Black Lung Disability Fund,” said Congressman Bishop. “This important legislation will help ensure that coal miners now, and in the future, will be able to receive the assistance they need in a timely manner so that they will not have to face lengthy delays like John White did. I commend my friend and colleague Hal Rogers for his outstanding bipartisan leadership on this vital issue.”
“Mr. White's story is far too common. Fighting black lung disease can be a costly burden after many years of hard work, and our coal miners shouldn't have to fight through red tape while fighting for their lives,” said Congressman Rogers. “I was honored to help J.L's family finally receive the benefits he rightfully earned to pay his medical expenses, but unfortunately, he never got to see the first check. That's why I keep pushing for this legislation, which will allow the trust fund to help black lung patients in waiting.”
This bill would ensure former coal miners who have met the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) medical eligibility requirements can begin receiving payments from the trust fund 60 days after approval, while the DOL continues its diligent work to determine the responsible payer.
If a miner is found medically eligible for black lung benefits, the DOL then works with the miner’s previous employer or employers to determine who is responsible for paying those benefits. If none of the previous employers can pay the benefits, the miner is paid from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Once a miner has been deemed medically eligible for black lung benefits, Medicare will not cover services that would be covered by black lung benefits, such as inhalers and other life-saving care.
This bill would allow medically eligible individuals to draw from the Fund rather than waiting for mine operators or their insurance companies to turn over documentation the DOL needs to determine responsibility for paying benefits which can take time and risk gaps in healthcare coverage. If a liable company is subsequently found, they will reimburse the Fund.
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