[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 4, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2183-S2184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         Miners Protection Act

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, I rise today, as I have on a number of 
occasions in the past, to express the urgent need for action to protect 
the retirement security of our Nation's coal miners. Because of 
bankruptcies that have decimated the coal industry, we have lost over 
22,000 jobs in our State, but more than 22,000 retired coal miners and 
their spouses are at risk of losing their healthcare benefits at the 
end of April.

[[Page S2184]]

  I have visited with retired miners from all across West Virginia to 
discuss this situation. During the February congressional recess, I 
visited the Cabin Creek Health Center in West Virginia. The Cabin Creek 
Health Center serves hundreds of coal miners and their families. They 
provide pulmonary rehabilitation services for miners suffering from 
black lung. They also provide primary care services for miners and 
other members of their community. During my visit, I met with several 
retired miners who would lose their health insurance coverage if 
Congress fails to act. These individuals are suffering from serious 
medical conditions and were unsure how they would afford their 
healthcare if they were to lose their current coverage.
  Just 2 weeks ago, I met with about a dozen retired miners from West 
Virginia who came to Washington to support the Miners Protection Act 
and to stand up for their hard-earned retirement benefits. Other groups 
of West Virginia miners have come to Washington over the past few 
months. All have carried one message to Congress: Keep the promise of 
our lifetime health benefits. On March 1, thousands of miners received 
notice that their health insurance would be terminated in 60 days. Most 
of these same people received that very same message just last October. 
As I listen to their stories, it is hard to imagine the worry these 
notices cause for miners and their families.
  In December 2016, Congress included language in the continuing 
appropriations legislation that preserved health coverage for these 
retired miners for just 4 months. While that provision kept mining 
families from losing their health coverage--which is good--at the end 
of last year, a permanent solution is critically needed.
  The 4-month provision from the December CR expires at the end of this 
month. It is vital--vital--that Congress take action within the next 
few weeks to provide healthcare and peace of mind for these miners in 
West Virginia and across coal country. Our retired miners deserve their 
promised healthcare coverage and should not have to receive another 
cancellation notice or another Band-Aid solution. We have a bipartisan 
vehicle for action. I have worked closely with Senator Joe Manchin, 
Senator Rob Portman, and others to introduce and promote the bipartisan 
Miners Protection Act, which would preserve healthcare and pension 
benefits for our miners. Our bill passed the Senate Finance Committee 
last year by a bipartisan vote of 18 to 8. I also would like to thank 
the majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, because he has introduced 
legislation that would provide a permanent healthcare solution for our 
miners.
  With all of us pulling together and with us working together, I am 
confident the Senate will act before the end of this month to continue 
these critical healthcare benefits for our miners. I ask my colleagues 
for their support in addressing this important issue for our working 
families.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Texas.