Senator Gordner's Legislation To Increase Black Lung Benefits Passes Senate

(HARRISBURG) - - Legislation to increase monthly benefit payments to those who suffer from Black Lung and other occupational diseases has been unanimously passed by the Senate of Pennsylvania, according to Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27), the bill's prime sponsor.

Under the Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act, persons who contract diseases peculiar to a particular industry, such as coal miners who suffer from Black Lung, are entitled to monthly payments. Currently, those payments are $125 per month and, according to the Senator, have been set at that level since 1979.

"My legislation increases the monthly payments to $150," said Sen. Gordner. "Because of the limited number of recipients- about 700 - the proposal requires only a minimal amount of additional state spending. It's the least we can do to recognize the hard work of miners who built an industry that is so important to our area."

Senate Bill 733 will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.