Published: November 03, 2009 05:22 pm      

Black lung struggle — Barriers to benefits unacceptable

Coal miners who are struggling with the chronic illness known as black lung shouldn’t be forced to fight long and bitter battles with Washington for their hard-earned benefits.

Unfortunately, many miners across our region are seeing their federal black lung benefits routinely delayed or denied altogether. Some cases have taken decades to resolve, which according to U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is “impractical, harmful and absolutely unacceptable” given the immediate medical needs of those living with black lung.

We agree, and that’s why we applaud the positive steps being taken by Rockefeller to remove what the veteran West Virginia lawmaker is calling “persistent barriers” that miners and their families are facing when trying to secure federal black lung benefits.

Rockefeller released a report Friday that he had requested from the Government Accountability Office in reference to the federal Black Lung Benefits Program. Rockefeller also is calling upon the U.S. Department of Labor to consider and act on the report, and is promising federal legislation to address the challenges faced by miners.

“Miners are the heart of our Mountain State, and we must continue fighting to protect their health and hard-earned benefits,” Rockefeller said last week. “I requested a comprehensive study of the Black Lung Benefits Program because I heard countless shameful and alarming stories about coal miners whose benefits were routinely delayed or denied altogether.”

The report released last week by Rockefeller included a number of recommendations on how to improve the federal Black Lung Benefits Program — including new requirements for documenting evidence, tracking the agency’s performance and streamlining the paperwork.

Rockefeller is urging the Department of Labor to act quickly, and to implement the suggested reforms. He also is planning to introduce legislation that makes the structure changes necessary to ensure that the federal black lung program will work for miners and their families.

Coal miners who have labored for years deep underground in the mountains of southern West Virginia should not be forced to fight for federal benefits that they are rightfully entitled to.

We join Rockefeller in urging a careful review of the Government Accountability Office report, and an implementation of recommended changes that will protect the health of miners and ensure a timely delivery of their hard-earned benefits.