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Bill117th CongressFiled Dec 1, 2021Labor and Employment
H.R. 6102

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to house, part i (Dec 2, 2022)

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022

This bill revises requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) benefits.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Labor to

  • pay the attorneys' fees of specified parties on a qualifying benefit claim,
  • give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation,
  • authorize a CT (computerized tomography) scan in diagnosing complicated pneumoconiosis, and
  • develop a strategy to reduce delays in adjudication of black lung disease benefits claims.

The bill also establishes criteria that a mining operator must meet to self-insure against claims and increases from $1,000 to $25,000 the daily penalty amount that may be assessed against a mining operator that fails to make black lung benefits payments.

The bill authorizes (1) black lung disease clinics to use federal funds to help individuals file claims, and (2) certain previously denied claimants to file a new claim for black lung disease benefits within one year.

The bill prohibits a person from (1) knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung disease benefits, or (2) threatening or misleading a participant in a proceeding regarding such benefits.

Further, the bill revises (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung disease, and (2) payments to such miners.

Lastly, the bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

What just happenedDec 23, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8](D-PA)Sponsor
13 cosponsors13 D
Read on Congress.gov
13cosponsors2committees13actions1related bills24subjects
  1. Dec 23, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 483.

  2. Dec 23, 2022DischargeH12300

    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

    Ways and Means Committee
  3. Dec 23, 2022Committee5500

    Committee on Ways and Means discharged.

    Ways and Means Committee
  4. Dec 15, 2022IntroReferralH11210

    House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 23, 2022.

    Ways and Means Committee
  5. Dec 2, 2022IntroReferralH11210

    House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Dec. 15, 2022.

    Ways and Means Committee
  6. Dec 2, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-589.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  7. Dec 2, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-589.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  8. Mar 16, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 22.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  9. Mar 16, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  10. Dec 1, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Ways and Means Committee
  11. Dec 1, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Education and the Workforce Committee
  12. Dec 1, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  13. Dec 1, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House, Part IDec 2, 20228

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022

This bill revises requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) benefits.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Labor to

  • pay the attorneys' fees of specified parties on a qualifying benefit claim,
  • give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation,
  • authorize a CT (computerized tomography) scan in diagnosing complicated pneumoconiosis, and
  • develop a strategy to reduce delays in adjudication of black lung disease benefits claims.

The bill also establishes criteria that a mining operator must meet to self-insure against claims and increases from $1,000 to $25,000 the daily penalty amount that may be assessed against a mining operator that fails to make black lung benefits payments.

The bill authorizes (1) black lung disease clinics to use federal funds to help individuals file claims, and (2) certain previously denied claimants to file a new claim for black lung disease benefits within one year.

The bill prohibits a person from (1) knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung disease benefits, or (2) threatening or misleading a participant in a proceeding regarding such benefits.

Further, the bill revises (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung disease, and (2) payments to such miners.

Lastly, the bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Introduced in HouseDec 1, 2021

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2021

This bill revises requirements for miners' claims for pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) benefits.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Labor to

  • pay the attorneys' fees of specified parties on a qualifying benefit claim,
  • give a claimant the opportunity to substantiate a claim for benefits through a pulmonary evaluation,
  • authorize a CT (computerized tomography) scan in diagnosing complicated pneumoconiosis,
  • educate certain individuals who work on black lung benefits about medical evidence relevant to claims,
  • establish criteria that a mining operator must meet to self-insure against claims, and
  • develop a strategy to reduce delays in adjudication of black lung disease benefits claims.

The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on barriers to health care faced by coal miners with black lung disease.

The bill authorizes (1) black lung disease clinics to use federal funds to help individuals file claims, and (2) certain previously denied claimants to file a new claim for black lung disease benefits within one year.

The bill prohibits a person from (1) knowingly and willfully making a false statement or misrepresentation in increasing or reducing black lung disease benefits, or (2) threatening or misleading a participant in a proceeding regarding such benefits.

Further, the bill revises (1) the standards of medical evidence that establish a presumption that a miner is totally disabled by black lung disease, and (2) payments to such miners.

Lastly, the bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2022 — Informed