Local leaders support boosting black lung benefits. That consensus hasn’t emerged in Congress.

By: Liam Niemeyer

Outlets: Kentucky Lantern

Published: July 13, 2026

Words: 1,231

Last Updated: 1 week, 2 days ago

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For Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston, passing a resolution last year urging an increase in black lung disability benefits was a matter of principle.

The last major coal mine in Ohio County, a part of the Western Kentucky Coal Field region, closed years ago. But he said the former miners who have coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, known commonly as black lung disease, still rely on the federal monthly black lung disability payments.

The …

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