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May 17, 2000
THOUSANDS OF COALMINERS RALLY IN WASHINGTON FOR HEALTH BENEFITS
— Rockefeller Speaks About His Legislation to Protect Health Fund —
WASHINGTON —Thousands of current and retired coalminers rallied today at the U.S. Capitol to support efforts to protect health benefits for retired miners and their families. U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), who has introduced a plan that would guarantee the health benefits for at least the next ten years, was a featured speaker at the event. Joining Rockefeller were Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Bob Wise (D- WV), United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts, and other union and political leaders.
Retired coalminers and their widows were promised lifetime health benefits more than a half century ago. That promise was re-affirmed in 1992 with legislation Rockefeller wrote to create the Combined Benefit Fund. The Fund is now facing a budget shortfall because of recent adverse court decisions and the rising cost of health care. The Senator's new legislation, called the Coal Miners and Widows Health Protection Act, provides for an annual mandatory transfer of general funds to the Combined Benefit Fund. The annual transfers are set at a level to avoid any reduction in benefits and amount to $346 million over ten years.
Rockefeller made the following remarks today:
"Coalminers and their families were promised lifetime health benefits a half century ago. Coal companies made that promise; the federal government made that promise. In return, miners agreed to continue the grueling work of mining coal and they accepted job cuts brought on by mechanization of the mines.
"As hardworking and honorable people, coalminers have more than lived up to their end of the bargain. They've put their lives, and the well being of their families, at risk every day. Our nation's industrial and economic development have been fueled by their hard work.
"And now, just when they need this health care the most, some of the companies and some in the government are mounting another assault against the Combined Benefit Fund. They are declaring that we have to reduce benefits because the fund is in financial trouble. They are threatening to break the promise.
"I will not stand by and let that happen. The promise must be kept.
"Congress has to act again. And today's rally in Washington is about making sure that Congress does act. The Senate has my bill before it, S. 2538, the Coal Miners and Widows Health Protection Act. This bill provides the rock-solid guarantee that benefits for retired miners will be protected, and that miners will get the health care they need and deserve — the care they were promised — for at least the next ten years.
"Several Senators have joined me in this crusade, but I need the help of miners to persuade other members of Congress to do the right thing. Miners need to make phone calls, write letters, knock on doors. They need to tell Senators and House members that they have miners in their district who vote.
"‘Lifetime health benefits' means what it says. The companies didn't say, ‘we'll pay your health care only if costs stay the same.' They didn't say, ‘we'll pay your health care only if the court says we absolutely have to.' Miners were promised lifetime health care, without exceptions, without loopholes.
"Maybe not everyone understands who miners are and what they've done for this country, but I can assure you that I do. They've given of themselves to make America better. They've warmed our homes and lit our schools; they've fueled our trains and powered our industries. They've sacrificed so that everyone else might have a better quality of life.
"I will not rest until each and every miner is afforded the peace of mind that can come only when these health benefits are protected, forever.
"A promise made must be a promise kept."
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