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March 20, 2026 - A setback is delaying important health screenings for coal miners in southern West Virginia. Problems with a specialized mobile unit have temporarily sidelined free black lung screenings in the region.
A program run by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health had only recently returned after federal cuts forced it to shut down earlier this year.
Those cuts, linked to government downsizing efforts, halted screenings and left mobile testing units off the road. After legal pressure and pushback from lawmakers many workers were reinstated and the program was restored.
Screenings were scheduled in Summersville, Oak Hill and Beckley but the mobile truck broke down before reaching Fayette County.
Now, miners can still get tested at clinics but those visits may come with a cost.
Local health leaders contend despite the setback getting tested is more important than ever.
“We're seeing such a spike in progressive massive fibrosis amongst younger miners. These guys really do need to come in and get tested more frequently,” New River Health Breathing Center director Lisa Emery said.
A visit from NIOSH was highly anticipated, but free mobile screenings have been slow to return across the region. Health officials at New River expect the agency to reschedule once the mobile unit is up and running. |
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