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Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020

Is a federal fund that helps miners suffering from black-lung disease running out of money?

Amy Vong, Gigafact Foundry
yes

A government fund designed to assist coal miners suffering from black-lung disease has never been adequately funded by an excise tax on coal production, as intended when it was established. The excise-tax rate fell 55% in 2019, but the previous rate was reinstated for the current year. The decline in domestic coal production is placing additional strain on the fund.

Black-lung disease (caused by breathing fine silica and other dust) affects approximately 10% of U.S. miners. The fund, set up in 1977, currently supports 25,000 disabled miners. Last year it paid $660 a month to an eligible miner with no dependents.

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has proposed extending the higher tax rates through 2030. Without further changes, the Government Accountability Office in 2018 estimated the fund would need $11.1 billion more funding through 2050, presumably through borrowing more funds from the Treasury.

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