By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
With Appalachia currently facing a resurgence of black lung disease, Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter on Thursday to Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, urging them to support expanded benefits for those affected.
The Governor noted that the proposed Support Our Miners Act (H.R. 9556) currently before Congress would increase benefits to match inflation for the first time, better supporting the one in five veteran coal miners suffering from the incurable respiratory condition.
The bill was introduced on June 30 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce, but no hearings have been held.
“Kentucky miners powered homes, communities and our economy for generations, and it’s important we show up for them in return by making sure they have the care and support needed to treat black lung disease,” Beshear said. “Unfortunately, the current system is inadequate, and the value of their benefits continues to shrink as inflation grows and costs continue to rise. Government is meant to help hardworking people like these miners, and Congress has a chance to make a difference by supporting this legislation.”
In his letter, the Governor said the Support Our Miners Act would adjust black lung disability benefits to match the value, relative to inflation, that miners received when the Black Lung Benefits Act was first enacted in 1969. Since that time, benefits for this incurable disease have decreased 30 percent from that initial value.
“Currently, a single miner is eligible for only $794 per month; had these benefits kept pace with inflation that number would be over $1,200 per month today,” Gov. Beshear noted in his letter. “Retired miners and widows can’t survive on a $400 pay cut.”
The bill would increase monthly benefits and restore the value Congress intended, while also establishing annual cost-of-living adjustments to prevent future erosion.
Kentucky has more active recipients of black lung benefits than any other state. Beshear noted dozens of city and county governments throughout the state, represented by both Republicans and Democrats, have passed resolutions urging an increase in these benefits. They include Carter, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Magoffin, McCreary, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Pike and Webster counties, as well as the cities of Cumberland, Evarts, Hazard, Jenkins and Whitesburg.
The Governor closed the letter by urging members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation to prioritize the people of our state by joining together to support this legislation.