WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced legislation today to provide a permanent extension of health care benefits for thousands of retired coal miners and their dependents. The current extension, which Senator McConnell secured in the Continuing Resolution last year, is set to expire at the end of April 2017.

In addition to providing a permanent extension of health care benefits, the Helping Ensure Long-term Protection (HELP) for Coal Miner Health Care Act calls on Congress to work with the Trump Administration to repeal onerous regulations that have contributed to the downfall of the coal industry and to support economic growth efforts in coal country. Senator McConnell’s bill also calls on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to periodically audit the health care benefits plan and report to Congress its findings to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely.

Congress has stepped in twice before – in 1992 and in 2006, with Senator McConnell’s support – to assist retired miners and to secure their health benefits. When thousands more were at risk of losing their benefits at the end of 2016, Senator McConnell led Congress’ efforts to intervene again to provide a four month extension in health benefits for orphaned retired miners and their dependents.

“Last year, I was proud to be able to secure an extension of these benefits past their year-end expiration date. While I advocated for a longer-term solution, we did secure a four-month plan. I made a commitment at that time to work with my colleagues on a long-term health care solution for these retired miners,” Senator McConnell said. ““Today, I introduced legislation to protect and permanently extend those benefits for thousands of coal miner retirees and dependents.”

Over the past eight years, the coal industry and the communities it supports have struggled, in large part, due to overregulation by the Obama Administration. Excessive regulation has made coal more expensive and has put it at an unfair disadvantage in the marketplace.

In the days since President Obama took office, too many coal miners have lost their jobs — including well over 10,000 in Kentucky — and more than 25 coal mining companies have filed for bankruptcy. This means that there are fewer active workers available to pay into an expanding retirement pool, leaving health benefits in jeopardy for thousands of miner retirees.

Earlier this month, Senator McConnell sent a letter to President-elect Trump highlighting opportunities to work together to help coal country, including a long-term fix for miners’ health care benefits.

“Recognizing the damage that has been done over the past eight years, my legislation also calls on Congress to work with the incoming Trump Administration to repeal regulations that are harming the coal industry and to support economic development efforts in coal country,” Senator McConnell added.

NOTE: Senator McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding his bill, the HELP for Coal Miner Health Care Act:

“In the years since President Obama took office, too many coal miners have lost their jobs — including more than 10,000 in my home state of Kentucky — and more than 25 coal mining companies have filed for bankruptcy. This means that there are fewer active workers available to pay into an expanding retirement pool, leaving health benefits in jeopardy for thousands of miner retirees.

“Last year, I was proud to be able to secure an extension of these benefits past their year-end expiration date. While I advocated for a longer-term solution, we did secure a four-month plan. I made a commitment at that time to work with my colleagues on a long-term health care solution for these retired miners.

“Today, I plan to introduce legislation to protect and permanently extend those benefits for thousands of coal miner retirees and dependents.

“Recognizing the damage that has been done over the past eight years, my legislation also calls on Congress to work with the incoming Trump Administration to repeal regulations that are harming the coal industry and to support economic development efforts in coal country.

“I highlighted these goals in a letter I sent to President-Elect Trump earlier in the year regarding ways in which I hope we can work together to provide relief to coal country. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and the incoming Administration on these important issues.”

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