John White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act

This bill requires the Secretary of Labor to pay black lung benefits to eligible miners within 60 days if a liability determination (who is responsible for payment) hasn't been made. It directly affects miners diagnosed with black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) who face delays in benefit processing. The key mechanism is a 60-day deadline: if liability isn't determined by then, benefits are paid immediately from the existing trust fund. Operators later found liable must still repay the benefits, so the bill doesn't eliminate their financial responsibility. The change aims to prevent prolonged delays in critical health benefits for miners.