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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Bill Would Expand Black Lung Benefits, Speed Up Claims for Coal Miners

Also known as: Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

  • Helps coal miners and their families file black lung claims by expanding federal help with medical exams and claim support.
  • Makes it easier to prove severe black lung by clearly allowing evidence like CT scans, biopsies, and other accepted tests.
  • Creates a program to pay some attorney fees and certain medical case-building costs when a contested claim drags past 2 years, with coal companies repaying the fund if they ultimately owe benefits.
  • Raises and then inflation-adjusts the yearly benefit amount starting in 2026, so payments don’t fall behind as prices rise.
  • Tightens rules for coal companies that self-insure and increases penalties for failing to secure benefit payments, aiming to protect the trust fund and ensure benefits get paid.
Labor EmploymentHealthcareConsumer ProtectionTaxes

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 16, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 16, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2026-01-01

Labor Department starts paying the new 2026 benefit rate and begins annual inflation updates going forward

People receiving black lung benefits would see payments tied to a set 2026 amount and then get automatic yearly increases based on inflation, helping benefits keep up with rising prices

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law

Labor Department must create the attorney-fee and medical-expense payment program for long-delayed contested claims

If a contested claim has been waiting more than 2 years without a final order, the claimant’s lawyer could be paid up front (within caps) and certain case-building medical costs could be covered without the claimant being billed back

Within 60 days after the bill becomes law

Labor Department issues an interim rule for when coal operators can self-insure black lung liabilities

Self-insured coal companies could quickly face new requirements to prove financial strength and put up enough security, which is meant to reduce the chance benefits get dumped onto the public Trust Fund

Within 90 days after the bill becomes law

Labor Department sends Congress a plan to reduce the backlog of black lung cases before Labor Department judges

This is a roadmap for faster decisions, possibly including more staff and more video hearings; it could shorten waits for miners and families, but it doesn’t itself guarantee faster rulings

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law

Labor Department proposes rules for punishing false statements, intimidation, and for disqualifying bad actors in claims proceedings

People in the system (including doctors, company reps, and lawyers) could face clearer consequences for misconduct, and judges could enforce discovery orders more strongly, which may make cases fairer and less delayed

Within 18 months after the bill becomes law

Labor Department finalizes the misconduct/disqualification rules

After the final rule, the updated procedures would be fully in place, which could change how evidence is handled and how quickly some disputes move

Within 12 months after the bill becomes law

Labor Department finalizes the self-insurance rule for coal operators

Coal operators that self-insure would have to meet the final standards (financial health checks and security levels), reducing the chance of future defaults that push costs onto the Trust Fund

Related News

4 articles
Safety+Health Magazine·about 2 months ago

Lawmakers reintroduce bill to boost miners' black lung benefits

Legislation reintroduced in the House and Senate aims to ease access to healthcare and benefits for coal miners with black lung. The bill would require full disclosure of medical info, allow more legal assistance, and adjust benefits for cost-of-living increases.

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POLITICO Pro·3 months ago

Democrats move to bolster miner health benefits

Democrats from coal-heavy states reintroduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act to help miners access benefits, adjust for inflation, and expand legal assistance. The bill also improves access to CT scans and increases penalties for operators who fail to secure benefits.

CL=
Truthout·2 months ago

Coal Miners Were Poised to Win Key Safety Protections. Then Trump Showed Up.

While miners fight for better benefits through the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, which would tie stipends to inflation, they face political hurdles. The bill aims to streamline the arduous claims process where coal companies often outgun miners with legal resources.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6756
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(4)
D: 4

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.