ACLC Clients Featured in Huffington Post Story on Black Lung
The Huffington Post is out with a story today highlighting several ACLC clients in western Kentucky who have been subjected to poor coal dust conditions, mine…
Department of Labor to Propose Rule Regarding Disclosure of Medical Evidence
Major news from the Department of Labor: In its Spring 2014 Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, the agency announced that it will be proposing a rule regarding the…
MSHA Announces Final Coal Dust Rule
For the first time since 1972, the Department of Labor has passed new respirable coal dust standards for U.S. coal mines. The updated limit, which was originally proposed…
Department of Labor Issues Final Rule for Standardizing Digital X-Rays in Black Lung Claims
The Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) has issued a final rule regarding the submission of digital radiographs in federal Black Lung claims.…
GAO Report Agrees with Using Science, National Approach to Reduce Coal Mine Dust Exposure
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report on MSHA’s proposal to lower the exposure limit for respirable coal mine dust. The report,…
Members of Congress Criticize Proposed DOL Rule that Could Help Coal Companies Hide Medical Evidence from Miners and Widows
Supporting disabled coal miners and their widows, seven Members of Congress signed a letter to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, criticizing the Department of Labor’s proposed…
“Breathless and Burdened” Series Wins Investigative Reporting Award
For his work on black lung issues, Chris Hamby from the Center for Public Integrity has won the American Business Editors and Writers award for best…
Department of Labor Announces Support for Black Lung Claimants
Today the Department of Labor made three policy changes that help miners win and defend their federal black lung benefits. The changes are marginal steps in…
Social Security Administration Releases Black Lung Benefits Data
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) just released some black lung benefits data as a part of its 2013 Annual Statistical Supplement. As the SSA explains, this…
FY 2014 Federal Budget – Black Lung Benefits, Mine Safety, and NIOSH Appropriations
Congress has approved a 2014 budget via the “Omnibus Bill.” (Its actual title is the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014,” the text of which is available here.) …