SE Kentucky News

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) and U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expediting approved benefits from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund for coal miners with black lung disease. The bill, known as the John "J.L." White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act, is named in memory of a former coal miner from Williamsburg, Kentucky who unfortunately passed away before receiving the benefits he was approved for.

Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House, expressed his concern for the struggles that coal miners with black lung disease face. He stated, "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." Congressman Rogers also shared his personal experience in helping Mr. White's family receive the benefits he rightfully earned, stating, "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."

The John "J.L." White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act aims to ensure that former coal miners who have met the Department of Labor's (DoL) medical eligibility requirements can begin receiving payments from the trust fund within 60 days of approval. This would provide much-needed financial support to these miners while the DoL continues its diligent work to determine the responsible payer.

Congressman Bishop also emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Coal miners who have developed black lung disease do not have the luxury to wait for their benefits from the Black Lung Disability Fund. 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."

The bill also addresses the issue of Medicare coverage for disabled coal miners with black lung disease. Currently, Medicare coverage ceases for certain medical services and prescriptions, such as inhalers, even before the miners start receiving payments. The John "J.L." White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act aims to fix this critical issue.

Under the proposed legislation, liable companies would be responsible for reimbursing the trust fund, providing longevity to this important fund. If a liable company cannot be found, the miner would continue to receive benefits from the trust fund.

Johnna Robinson, the daughter of John "J.L." White, expressed her support for the bill and the impact it could have on miners in need. She shared, "This bill will ensure that these miners in need receive their benefits in a timely manner. My Dad loved coal mining, but nothing frustrated him more than red-tape and policies that protected larger corporations at the expense of hard-working men and women. He would be so honored to know about this bill, and how it could be a help and benefit to miners in need. To have this bill named for him means so much to our family because it means that the legacy and passions of our family patriarch, John L. White, can live on and remind us how blessed we all were to have him in our lives."

The importance of this legislation can be seen in the statistics. Since 1973, the Department of Labor has received over 119,000 black lung claims in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, making it the third-highest in the country.

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work and this legislation, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.

In conclusion, the John "J.L." White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act aims to provide much-needed financial support to coal miners with black lung disease by expediting approved benefits from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. The bill's reintroduction is a testament to the commitment of Congressman Rogers and Congressman Bishop to address the struggles faced by these miners and ensure they receive the assistance they need in a timely manner.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=4C796D44-1294-4C12-B011-FCE324B96C91