Black Lung/Coal Miner Clinics Program - Organization Name and Address: Genesis HealthCare System Genesis Lung Center and Black Lung Program 2951 Maple Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701 Facility Type: 501(c) Nonprofit Hospital Website: www.genesishcs.org Service Area: D (Athens, Coshocton, Fairfield, Gallia, Guernsey, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Licking, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Ross, and Vinton counties, Ohio) Funding Amount Requested: $437,129 per budget period Population Served: The target population of the Genesis Lung Clinic and Black Lung Program is active, retired, past, and present coal miners in Ohio Service Area D. Genesis has provided expert care to coal miners and others suffering from occupational-related lung disease for 47 years. Coal miners are exposed to many respiratory irritants that put them at risk for developing occupational-related coal mine dust lung disease (CMDLD), also known as black lung disease. Studies consistently demonstrate that the Appalachia coal mining areas experience persistently higher mortality, chronic disease rates, and poverty rates. Many miners in Ohio as well as across Appalachia have experienced job loss as well as faced loss of their income, healthcare, and pension benefits due to their health issues. Service Area: Due to the rural nature of Service Area D, specialized clinical services can be difficult to obtain. Genesis HealthCare System is based in Zanesville, Ohio, with additional medical campuses that are positioned within the Appalachia coal region. Genesis is an integrated health care delivery system with pulmonary and lung care services available in network. Proposed Goals and Objectives: By June 30, 2030, Genesis HealthCare System will reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with occupational-related coal mine dust lung disease (CMDLD) through the provision of quality medical, outreach, educational, and benefits counseling services. Genesis offers all minimum and region-specific additional grant requirements, including the provision of US DOL examinations, medical case management, patient education and outreach, pulmonary lung function testing and chest imaging, compensation counseling, medical case management, tobacco cessation, expert staffing, community outreach, new equipment testing, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Expected Outcomes: The Genesis Lung Clinic and Black Lung Program utilizes a board-certified pulmonologist Medical Director and highly skilled dedicated staff to address the needs of coal miners and their families. Genesis has committed to lessen the burden of health disparities and health inequities through coordinated patient care, referrals to primary care and/or specialized services, collaborating closely with community health and business partners, and adopting strategies that expand access to healthcare. Genesis services in the Lung Center and Black Lung Program include: screenings, diagnosis, education, rehabilitation, treatment, exercise, US Department of Labor Approved Black Lung testing, NIOSH Certified Pulmonary Function testing, Phase II & Phase III Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs, primary care medical home referrals, medical case management, 340B pharmacy program, Better Breathing Club support group, coal miner health screens and outreach Events, self-management services including symptom awareness, dietary needs and medication education, advanced treatment referral including transplant evaluation and lung reduction surgery, compensation counseling, Black Lung application assistance, on-going lay advocacy claims assistance, hearing testing, patient-family education, financial assistance, and vaccination. Data collected through these services, such as satisfaction surveys, financial reports, and scorecards, are monitored by administrators and clinic staff to evaluate the impact of the program on the health and wellbeing of coal miners in the service area. Adjustments are made when necessary to ensure a high standard of patient care.
