16% of US coal workers have black lung, and benefits for a miner and one dependent in 2024 are $1,100, $3,000 less than average cost of living.

Miners with black lung disease receive benefits not keeping pace with cost of living; benefits for a miner and one dependent in 2024 are $1,100, $3,000 less than average cost of living for a two-person household. 16% of US coal workers have black lung, and while cases decreased for decades, numbers are rising again, with miners being diagnosed at younger ages, impacting their work history and retirement funds.

April 03, 2024
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