Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to Kentucky's Congressional Delegation on Sept. 24, 2026, urging members to support expanded benefits for coal miners affected by black lung disease amid a resurgence of the incurable respiratory condition in Appalachia.
The proposed Support Our Miners Act, House Resolution 9556, would increase benefits to match inflation for the first time, better supporting the one in five veteran coal miners suffering from the disease, the Governor said.
"Kentucky miners powered homes, communities and our economy for generations, and it's important we show up for them in return by making sure they have the care and support needed to treat black lung disease," said Gov. Beshear. "Unfortunately, the current system is inadequate, and the value of their benefits continues to shrink as inflation grows and costs continue to rise."
The bill would adjust black lung disability benefits to match the value, relative to inflation, that miners received when the Black Lung Benefits Act was first enacted in 1969. Since then, benefits for the disease have decreased 30% from that initial value.
"Currently, a single miner is eligible for only $794 per month; had these benefits kept pace with inflation that number would be over $1,200 per month today," Gov. Beshear notes in his letter. "Retired miners and widows can't survive on a $400 pay cut."
Enacting the federal bill would increase monthly benefits, restore the value Congress intended and establish annual cost-of-living adjustments to prevent future erosion. Kentucky has more active recipients of black lung benefits than any other state, and dozens of city and county governments represented by both Republicans and Democrats have passed resolutions urging an increase.