Energy Workers Health Improvement and Compensation Fund Act

The Energy Workers Health Improvement and Compensation Fund Act establishes a trust fund in the U.S. Treasury to compensate eligible oil and gas workers and their families for certain medical expenses. This fund, known as the Energy Workers Health Compensation Fund , aims to address health issues linked to their work environment, such as asthma, heat-related illness, and other respiratory or cardiovascular diseases associated with methane emissions, smog, and particulate matter. Funding for the compensation fund will come from annual contributions by oil companies with over $50 million in revenue. Each company must deposit an amount equivalent to the aggregate compensation of its ten most highly paid employees, with penalties for underpayments and provisions for elective contributions. These contributions are not tax-deductible, and the Secretary of Labor will manage the fund and process claims. Eligible workers, defined as individuals who have worked or lived near oil and gas extraction sites for at least one year, or their qualifying family members, can seek reimbursement for medical expenses not covered by other insurance. Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of a Commission on Health Outcomes of Oil and Gas Workers . This commission, composed of diverse representatives including government agencies, advocacy groups, and eligible workers, will study and develop recommendations to the Secretary of Labor on improving the health outcomes of these workers. The commission's recommendations and the Secretary's response will be made public and submitted to Congress, with the Secretary also providing annual reports on the fund's operations.