Senator Urges Reversal of NIOSH Layoffs Amid Coal Health Concerns. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has called on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse recent layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), highlighting the critical role of coal health programs in her state.
In an April 21 letter, Capito expressed concern over the elimination of approximately 200 positions at NIOSH’s Morgantown facility, part of a broader reduction affecting 2,400 jobs nationwide. These positions were integral to coal worker health initiatives, including black lung disease screenings and research.
weirtondailytimes.com
Capito emphasized that NIOSH’s coal health programs are unique and irreplaceable, with no federal equivalents. She warned that dismantling these programs would not only jeopardize the health of miners but also lead to significant taxpayer costs if future reactivation becomes necessary.
Reuters
The senator’s call comes amid the Trump administration’s push to expand coal mining operations, raising concerns about the balance between industry growth and worker health protections.
Capito, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, has been a staunch advocate for coal miner health initiatives. She previously secured funding for a new NIOSH Underground Mine Safety and Health Research Program facility in West Virginia, underscoring her commitment to enhancing miner safety and health.
weirtondailytimes.com
As the debate continues, Capito remains steadfast in her belief that protecting coal miner health is paramount and urges the administration to reconsider the recent layoffs to ensure the well-being of those who depend on the coal industry for their livelihoods.
