Griffith Statement on NIOSH Deployment to SWVA for Black Lung Screenings

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has announced that it will provide free, confidential black lung screenings to coal miners in Virginia. As part of the NIOSH Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP), all coal miners are welcome and encouraged to participate. The NIOSH mobile unit will provide screening services from 8 am-3 pm on Tuesday, April 7, at Stone Mountain Health Services in Vansant, Virginia.

In response to this news, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

"I am glad that the NIOSH Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program will come provide free black lung screenings to coal miners in Southwest Virginia!

"Coal is a fixture in Southwest Virginia. Coal miners in our region have served the energy and steel needs of American communities for decades. Accordingly, it is appropriate for the government to support them for their service to our country with this opportunity.

"I thank Stone Mountain Health Services for their efforts to treat black lung, and I encourage all willing coal miners to visit the NIOSH mobile unit on April 7."

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

In a previous Health Subcommittee hearing with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Congressman Griffith expressed his support for working with the Trump Administration to help fight black lung disease.

More information related to the NIOSH Coal Worker's Health Surveillance Program can be found here.

Stone Mountain Health Services is located at 1060 Anchorage Cir, Vansant, Virginia 24656.

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