July 14, 2026 - The Department of Labor said it plans to improve information collection and oversight of its Black Lung Benefits Program after a recent report described challenges coal miners face in obtaining federal disability benefits.

In the report, the Government Accountability Office wrote that insufficient information collection and monitoring of responsible mine operators’ provision of medical benefits are obstacles to “achieving the mission of the program.” GAO concluded that coal miners and their families “might not receive the coverage of black lung-related medical expenses to which they are entitled” as a result.

The Black Lung Benefits Program is intended to provide compensation to coal miners who have been disabled by black lung – a deadly condition caused by exposure to respirable coal mine dust – and their dependent survivors.

GAO examined program claims data from 2013 to 2024 while gathering feedback from 64 miners over six focus groups. The miners worked in the four states with the most program beneficiaries: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Claims processing delays represented a frequent roadblock, the office found. In some cases, miners encountered legal disputes from mine operators who challenged whether working at their mines caused black lung disease.

GAO recommended that the labor secretary ensure the Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation collects information on and monitors responsible operators’ provision of medical benefits.

The report states that DOL agreed. GAO enclosed a letter from James Macy, director of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, who wrote that DOL “plans to update its customer experience surveys to include questions about the medical benefits provided by responsible operators.”

Macy continued: “Once the survey is updated and receives approval from the Office of Management and Budget, DOL will use randomized surveys to obtain feedback on medical benefits. Additionally, claimants will have the opportunity to provide their contact information, enabling DOL to follow up and gather more details if any issues are identified.”

Various lawmakers applaud DOL for taking initiative while calling for the advancement of legislation intended to ease access to health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease.

In December, Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) reintroduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act in the House. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) followed suit in the Senate.

“Although we’re glad the Department of Labor agreed to provide more oversight of the medical benefits that mine operators provide, Congress must still enact legislation to ensure miners receive the benefits they need to support themselves and their families once they’re too sick to continue working in the mines,” the senators said in a press release.