Bill Overview
Title: Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends until December 31, 2031, the excise tax on coal. The revenues from such tax provide funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Sponsors: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]
Target Audience
Population: People with black lung disease and their families
Estimated Size: 90000
- This bill focuses on extending the excise tax on coal, specifically for funding the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
- The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund provides benefits to coal miners suffering from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease).
- Current and former coal miners who suffer from black lung disease and their families benefit from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to extend funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, which directly affects coal miners with black lung disease and their families by securing financial benefits.
- Given a budget of $35 million over ten years, the policy needs to strategically allocate resources to those most in need, ensuring that the fund remains solvent for future beneficiaries as well.
- Only those directly impacted by Black Lung Disease and their families will experience direct benefits. Others may not see significant changes in their well-being due to this policy alone.
- The simulation includes a range of individuals, from directly affected coal miners to those indirectly affected, providing diverse perspectives on the policy's impact.
Simulated Interviews
Retired coal miner (West Virginia)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extended tax could ensure my benefits won't run out, which gives me peace of mind.
- I rely on these benefits for medical expenses and daily living costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Coal miner (Kentucky)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The fund is crucial for my family as my father and uncle depend on it.
- Worried about my future health; this fund might support me if needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Coal miner (Pennsylvania)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I haven't developed black lung disease, knowing there will be assistance if I do is comforting.
- Policy seems fair as long as it doesn't affect coal industry jobs too negatively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired coal miner (Illinois)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Vital for my survival, the benefits cover costs that would otherwise be unbearable.
- It's reassuring that the fund will potentially continue providing assistance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Health care worker (Utah)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could secure his future if his condition worsens.
- We need the support to manage health costs related to black lung.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Coal miner (Wyoming)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supportive of any measures improving safety or benefits for miners.
- I hope never to need it, but the fund provides some peace of mind.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Widow of coal miner (Ohio)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy ensures I can continue to afford living in my current situation.
- Without the fund, I wouldn't be able to manage on minimal income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Coal mining supervisor (Virginia)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing the fund is there for my men and their families is a relief.
- It's essential, but more should be done to prevent the disease from occurring at all.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Environmental scientist (Tennessee)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s important to support those affected, though policies should also focus on transitioning from coal reliance.
- The fund continuation is a step towards ethical mining practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired coal miner (Alabama)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra security for future benefits is appreciated.
- May not affect me significantly if my condition doesn't worsen.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The stability and solvency of the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are critical to supporting miners with black lung disease.
- The domestic impact on the coal mining industry might be slightly negative due to prolonged taxation, though this is intended to have a greater societal benefit.
- The existing program does not change the benefits offered; it only extends the tax—the effects on current beneficiaries do not change.