Legal Battle Erupts as Coal Miners Challenge Trump-era Cuts to Black Lung Screening
A coalition of coal miners has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor, contesting the Trump administration’s 2018 decision to slash funding for black lung screening programs. The case, now moving through federal court, alleges the cuts jeopardized early detection of the deadly disease among America’s mining workforce, sparking renewed debate over occupational health protections.
Background: The Fight Against Black Lung Disease
Black lung disease, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, has claimed over 76,000 lives since 1968 according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) data. The condition develops when coal dust accumulates in miners’ lungs, causing irreversible scarring and respiratory failure. While regulations improved conditions after 1969, recent studies show:
- A 20% increase in black lung cases since 2000
- 1 in 5 veteran miners in central Appalachia now show signs of the disease
- Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), the most severe form, has reached 25-year highs
“These screenings are lifelines for miners,” explains Dr. Sarah Chen, pulmonologist at West Virginia University. “Early detection through chest X-rays and breathing tests can add years to a patient’s life by enabling prompt treatment and workplace adjustments.”
The Controversial 2018 Policy Changes
The disputed regulations reduced staffing for NIOSH’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program by 50%, cutting 12 positions from the 24-person team that conducted mobile screenings in mining regions. The Trump administration framed this as bureaucratic streamlining, claiming:
- Technology could offset reduced personnel through digital submissions
- State agencies could assume more responsibility
- Program costs had grown unsustainably
However, court documents reveal screening participation dropped 38% in the two years following implementation. “The math doesn’t add up,” argues United Mine Workers attorney Mark Reynolds. “Fewer staff meant fewer visits to remote mining towns where access to healthcare is already limited. This was a direct threat to worker safety.”
Miners Present Their Case
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, hinges on violations of the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Plaintiffs include:
- Three miners diagnosed with black lung after missed screenings
- The Black Lung Association of Virginia
- United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
“I worked 28 years underground believing these tests had my back,” says plaintiff Hank McCullough, 54, who received his stage 2 black lung diagnosis in 2021. “When the mobile unit stopped coming to our county, I lost two critical years of monitoring. Now my doctor says we could’ve slowed the progression.”
Industry and Regulatory Perspectives
National Mining Association representatives defend the policy changes. “The industry has invested over $100 million in dust control technologies since 2014,” notes NMA spokesperson Diane Carlton. “Modern mines operate under strict particulate limits, making broad screening programs less critical than in past decades.”
However, occupational health experts counter that legacy risks persist. A 2022 Johns Hopkins study found:
- Modern mining equipment generates finer silica dust, potentially more harmful than traditional coal dust
- 40% of current cases occur in miners with fewer than 20 years’ exposure
- Screening gaps disproportionately impact contract miners, who comprise 60% of the workforce
Broader Implications for Worker Safety
This case intersects with larger debates about occupational health oversight. The Biden administration has proposed restoring the eliminated positions, but budget negotiations remain ongoing. Meanwhile, legal experts suggest the outcome could set precedents for:
- Enforcement mechanisms in worker safety laws
- Executive branch authority to modify congressionally mandated programs
- Standing requirements for occupational health lawsuits
“This isn’t just about black lung,” notes Georgetown University labor law professor Elena Rodriguez. “It’s a test case for how aggressively the government must implement worker protection statutes when administrations change.”
What Comes Next in the Legal Battle
The Department of Labor has until September 15 to file its response. Observers anticipate two potential outcomes:
- Settlement: Reinstatement of some positions with modified screening protocols
- Litigation: A ruling on whether the cuts violated statutory requirements for “adequate” monitoring
Meanwhile, grassroots efforts continue. The UMWA has launched a “Test to Live” campaign, organizing volunteer medical teams to visit underserved mining communities. “We can’t wait for courts to decide,” says campaign director Luis Alvarez. “Every month without screenings puts more miners at risk.”
For affected workers and families, the case represents more than legal technicalities. As widow Teresa Boyd, whose husband died from PMF in 2020, puts it: “Early detection could’ve given us five more years together. No policy should ever make those extra years harder to get.”
Readers concerned about black lung risks can contact the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program at 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit cdc.gov/niosh/topics/surveillance/ORDS/CoalWorkersHealthSurvProgram.html for screening locations.
See more WebMD Network
