From Appalachian Voices (http://www.appvoices.org/):
Earlier this year, coal miners with black lung disease scored a major victory when Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This bill included a provision that locked in a tax — paid by coal companies — in order to fund healthcare and disability benefits for miners suffering from the progressive and fatal disease.
Along with our partners in the Black Lung Association and action-takers like you, Appalachian Voices worked hard for this important victory. But miners with black lung need our support again.
Currently, a miner disabled by black lung receives benefits of around $700 per month, with an additional $300 per month for each of the miner’s dependents. This is a pittance for workers who sacrificed their health in order to feed their families — and inflation has made it even harder for these families to make ends meet.
Appalachian Voices, the Black Lung Association and other advocates are asking our legislators to provide a small bump in monthly black lung disability benefits, and to establish an annual cost-of-living adjustment so that benefits amounts keep up with inflation. Congress can achieve this as part of a must-pass government funding bill this month.
Ask your members of Congress to support this measure to help miners suffering with black lung disease and their families make ends meet at https://appvoices.org/end-mountaintop-removal/black-lung-kills/tell-congress-boost-black-lung-benefits/.
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