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Photos: US coal lobby fights black-lung tax as disease surges among miners

The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, a US federal fund is at risk of insolvency due to soaring debt and a slashing of coal-company contributions through a tax cut scheduled for the end of the year. The fund currently provides medical coverage and monthly payments for living expenses to more than 15,000 people. However, the coal industry is lobbying the US Congress to ensure a tax reduction goes forward, arguing the payments have already been too high at a difficult time for mining companies and that the fund has been abused by undeserving applicants.

Updated on: Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM IST

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Nurse Melissa Muse checks the blood pressure of retired coal miner James Marcum, who has black lung disease, in St. Charles, Virginia. Marcum worked at a surface strip mine for 20 to 25 years, but has not yet been approved for benefits for his illness. For ex-miners coping with this disease, the federal fund that pays for medical care is a lifeline under threat. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Nurse Melissa Muse checks the blood pressure of retired coal miner James Marcum, who has black lung disease, in St. Charles, Virginia. Marcum worked at a surface strip mine for 20 to 25 years, but has not yet been approved for benefits for his illness. For ex-miners coping with this disease, the federal fund that pays for medical care is a lifeline under threat. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Mist surrounds the Premier Elkhorn Coal Co. mine in Myra, Kentucky. The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is at risk of insolvency due to soaring debt and a slashing of coal-company contributions through a tax cut scheduled for the end of the year, according to a report the US Government Accountability Office plans to publish soon, two sources briefed on the study told Reuters. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Mist surrounds the Premier Elkhorn Coal Co. mine in Myra, Kentucky. The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is at risk of insolvency due to soaring debt and a slashing of coal-company contributions through a tax cut scheduled for the end of the year, according to a report the US Government Accountability Office plans to publish soon, two sources briefed on the study told Reuters. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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The fund shortfall - which comes as black lung rates hit highs not seen in decades - could force restrictions on benefits or shift the financial burden to taxpayers. The fund currently provides medical coverage and payments for living expenses to more than 15,000 people, according to a US Congressional report. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

The fund shortfall - which comes as black lung rates hit highs not seen in decades - could force restrictions on benefits or shift the financial burden to taxpayers. The fund currently provides medical coverage and payments for living expenses to more than 15,000 people, according to a US Congressional report. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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The coal industry, meanwhile, is lobbying to ensure the tax reduction goes forward. “More often than not, we are being called upon to provide compensation for previous or current smokers,” said Bruce Watzman, head of regulatory affairs for the National Mining Association. Medical experts dispute this argument, saying the disease - an incurable illness caused by inhaling coal dust - is easy to distinguish with X-rays. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

The coal industry, meanwhile, is lobbying to ensure the tax reduction goes forward. “More often than not, we are being called upon to provide compensation for previous or current smokers,” said Bruce Watzman, head of regulatory affairs for the National Mining Association. Medical experts dispute this argument, saying the disease - an incurable illness caused by inhaling coal dust - is easy to distinguish with X-rays. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Coal companies pay a $1.10 per ton excise tax on underground coal production to finance the fund. That amount will revert to the 1977 level of 50 cents at the end of the year if Congress does not extend the current rate. The fund has already been forced to borrow more than $6 billion from the US Treasury to finance benefits. About half of its revenue goes to servicing that debt. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Coal companies pay a $1.10 per ton excise tax on underground coal production to finance the fund. That amount will revert to the 1977 level of 50 cents at the end of the year if Congress does not extend the current rate. The fund has already been forced to borrow more than $6 billion from the US Treasury to finance benefits. About half of its revenue goes to servicing that debt. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Former coal miner Don Pauley waits between X-rays at a care centre. The fund pays benefits to miners severely disabled by black lung in cases where no coal company can be found to directly provide support. That typically occurs when a company has gone belly-up – an increasingly common scenario as the nation shifts to cheaper natural gas and cleaner solar and wind power. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Former coal miner Don Pauley waits between X-rays at a care centre. The fund pays benefits to miners severely disabled by black lung in cases where no coal company can be found to directly provide support. That typically occurs when a company has gone belly-up – an increasingly common scenario as the nation shifts to cheaper natural gas and cleaner solar and wind power. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Binders and boxes store the large database of black lung cases and histories gathered by Dr. Brandon Crum at United Medical Group in Pikeville, Kentucky. Government research shows the incidence of black lung rebounding, despite improved safety measures adopted decades ago - such as dust screens and ventilation – that had nearly eradicated the disease in the 1990s. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Binders and boxes store the large database of black lung cases and histories gathered by Dr. Brandon Crum at United Medical Group in Pikeville, Kentucky. Government research shows the incidence of black lung rebounding, despite improved safety measures adopted decades ago - such as dust screens and ventilation – that had nearly eradicated the disease in the 1990s. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Dr. Brandon Crum explains chest x-rays to former coal miner Wade Pauley, who has black lung disease after working 33 years underground in mines. Ex-miners and regional health experts blame the resurgence on longer hours spent in deeper parts of old, played-out mines, along with lax safety measures and the use of heavy machines to blast through layers of rock. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Dr. Brandon Crum explains chest x-rays to former coal miner Wade Pauley, who has black lung disease after working 33 years underground in mines. Ex-miners and regional health experts blame the resurgence on longer hours spent in deeper parts of old, played-out mines, along with lax safety measures and the use of heavy machines to blast through layers of rock. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Former coal miner Paul Hylton, who has black lung disease, leaves after Sunday services. Crum, whose own family worked the mines for a century, said many of these people face a lifetime unable to work, inundated with medical bills. “Any kind of asset or financial stability you would take away from these miners and their families would be devastating,” he said. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Former coal miner Paul Hylton, who has black lung disease, leaves after Sunday services. Crum, whose own family worked the mines for a century, said many of these people face a lifetime unable to work, inundated with medical bills. “Any kind of asset or financial stability you would take away from these miners and their families would be devastating,” he said. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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Kennith Adams survived stage-four colon cancer and suffers from advanced black lung. His first application was rejected two years ago after Consol argued he did not work for the firm when he fell ill. Adams had worked at the Bishop Coal Company, later taken over by Consol. Adams and his wife Tammie are now hoping his latest application will be approved and help pay the over $12,000 in monthly medical bills. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 04, 2018 2:20 PM

Kennith Adams survived stage-four colon cancer and suffers from advanced black lung. His first application was rejected two years ago after Consol argued he did not work for the firm when he fell ill. Adams had worked at the Bishop Coal Company, later taken over by Consol. Adams and his wife Tammie are now hoping his latest application will be approved and help pay the over $12,000 in monthly medical bills. (Brian Snyder / REUTERS)

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