Sen. Kaine introduces new bill aimed to help coal miners access Black Lung benefits
By Mike StaleyPublished: Dec. 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM ESTHARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., introduced the “Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act” to help make medical benefits more accessible to miners.
Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis, known as Black Lung Disease, develops in approximately 30 people per coal mining county yearly, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Black Lung is an uncurable respiratory ailment that causes shortness of breath, tightness of chest and other breathing issues. It can ultimately cause the death of someone if symptoms aren’t managed.
Black Lung gets its name from the coloration of someone’s lungs when they have the disease. Much like lung cancers develop from cigarette smoke, the lungs are painted black or a much darker shade of pink/red. In photographs of the lungs, the color can match the color of the coal dust continuously inhaled while working in the mines.
According to Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., funding the benefits from the original Black Lung Benefits Act is not an issue. However, they said people affected by Black Lung disease have been barred from the medical attention needed because of bureaucracy issues. Kaine hopes this legislation will help cut some red tape for coal miners in need of medical services.
“We’re trying to make sure the process to establish a claim for Black Lung benefits more straightforward and simple,” Kaine said. “The bill we’ve introduced this week is not about the funding but it’s about getting the benefits. We want to make it easier for miners.”
He said the bill will help loosen restraints placed on accessing the care, ensuring families can help a loved one struggling with the disease can feel empowered to receive medical attention.
According to a release from Kaine’s office, some of the things the bill aims to solve are:
Automatically adjust benefits to inflation rates
Help miners find the legal representation needed to file claims
Expand existing black lung clinics and services, and create new medical practices for the disease
Help miners find assistance from the Department of Labor (DOL) when claims are disputed
Help the DOL access IRS files when claim issues arise
The bill is currently supported by four Democrats across both legislative branches, but it does not have any outward Republican supporters. The top five coal mining states in the U.S. are Wyoming, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Kentucky. These five states make up around 73% of coal mined in the U.S.
