Black Lung: Miners Demand Better | Roanoke News

Black lung disease still devastates coal miners—and their families—despite decades-old benefits that now barely cover rising costs. Stories like Clarence Bledsoe’s, who left mining at 14 and died battling the illness, and Bill Hatfield’s 18-year fight for disability payments, reveal a system failing those who kept America running. A new bill, the Support Our Miners Act, could fix this by tying payouts to inflation—but it’s facing stiff opposition. It’s time to honor these workers with real protections and fair support so no family has to endure this preventable tragedy again. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/065f2d1f1c4467bc