Bill would restore bankruptcy-threatened health benefits to retired coal miners
Retired coal miners who lost health care benefits as a result of bankruptcy – including many who have black lung disease – have a shot of getting those benefits extended, under bi-partisan legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate.
Introduced by Sen. Joe Manchin (D- W. Va.) and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), the measure would extend promised health care benefits to some 11,000 retirees, dependents and widows who lost their company-paid benefits as a result of the 2012-13 bankruptcy of Patriot Coal.