From The Lexington Herald-Leader: Black lung is surging, but bill to undo limits on doctors stalls without a hearing
Berry Craig
By WILL WRIGHT
PIKEVILLE -- A bill that would have rescinded restrictions on the types of physicians who can diagnose black lung disease will likely not get a vote in the Kentucky House of Representatives this year, said Rep. Angie Hatton, one of the bill’s sponsors.
The proposal’s likely failure comes amid the largest resurgence of black lung in decades, one that has left more than 20 percent of Central Appalachian coal miners with the deadly and incurable disease.
House Bill 75 would have undone a portion of a bill passed last year that imposed new limits on the types of physicians who can diagnose black lung. Critics say that bill, House Bill 2, made it harder for miners seeking black lung benefits to succeed in their claims.