FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear is urging Kentucky’s congressional delegation to support legislation that would increase federal benefits for coal miners suffering from black lung disease.
Beshear sent a letter to the delegation Thursday supporting the Support Our Miners Act, which would adjust black lung benefits for inflation for the first time since the program was created in 1969.
“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,” Gov. 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.”
The governor says benefits have lost about 30 percent of their value since then. He says a miner currently receiving $794 dollars a month would receive more than $1,200 if benefits had kept pace with inflation.
Kentucky has more active black lung benefit recipients than any other state...