Tackett attends National Black Lung forum in D.C.
TOP PHOTO: Regina Tackett with Community Health of East Tennessee’s TN Black Lung Program attended a national black lung forum in Washington, D.C., last week.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Tennessee Black Lung Association members recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to support coal miners. Lay Representative Regina Tackett with the Tennessee Black Lung Program and Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET) joined members of the National Black Lung Association and the National Coalition of Black Lung & Respiratory Disease Clinics, Inc. to attend a Black Lung Forum held at the United States Senate Building in Washington, D.C., on September 30.
Tackett has a passion for helping miners and said it was a great opportunity to connect with others who serve the mining community.
“I felt very honored and humbled to be asked to attend something like this. Our miners are my passion. They almost always feel like family from day one; I treat each client’s claim with full attention and compassion as I would have wanted someone to do for my grandfathers,” Tackett said. Mining has always been a family heritage for her.
As a child, she grew up attending United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) rallies in the early 1970s, which was a period of political and labor activism that united miners nationwide.
“My grandfathers both worked in the mines when mule carts were the haulage procedure,” Tackett said.
Attending the Black Lung Forum was an amazing opportunity to network with legislative representatives and members of the National Black Lung Association, which had “representation from several chapters.”
“In the near future, we will be starting a National Black Lung Association chapter in East Tennessee,” Tackett said.
According to Tackett, the forum in Washington D.C. “featured speeches from lawmakers, health experts, advocates, and affected individuals”, including Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, as well as Coalition & Association Leaders, Lisa Emery (President, NCBLRDC) and Vonda Robinson (President, National Black Lung Association).
Medical & Industry Experts: Dr. Drew Harris, Dr. Brandon Crum, and member Brad Johnson (photo above), as well as “Personal Voices: Former coal miners and widows of miners.”
Tackett also shared Key Takeaways & Health Statistics from the forum.
“Science vs. Enforcement: Senator Mark Warner addressed proven scientific evidence linking silica and coal dust directly to Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP). He emphasized that despite these scientific findings, safety regulations are not being properly enforced while mining activities continue to increase.”
“Mortality Rate: Between 2020 and 2023, there were 1,754 reported deaths due to CWP combined with Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF), also referred to as complicated black lung.
Regional Risk Factor: Senator Tim Kaine highlighted a 60% chance of being diagnosed with CWP for coal miners in the Appalachia region specifically.”
“Resurgence Since the 1990s: Lisa Emery spoke on the sharp resurgence of CWP diagnoses since the 1990s. Currently, one in three tested working miners in Appalachia tests positive for CWP. Additionally, PMF (complicated CWP) is now as prevalent as it was 50 years ago.”
“Nature of the Disease: Black lung disease is fully preventable, though latent and progressive. Forum participants highlighted the core message: “You cannot be pro-mining if you are not pro-miner.”
Resources & Assistance
For questions or help filing a Black Lung Benefits Claim, support is available through Community Health of East Tennessee’s TN Black Lung Program by calling 423.563.1044. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/09/2026-6AM-Photo credits to National Black Lung Association, NCBLRC, TN Black Lung and Appalachian Citizens Law)
