; (B) medical evidence necessary to sustain claims for such benefits; and (C) the proper weight to be given to conflicting evidence. (10) Black lung disease has been the underlying or contributing cause of death of more than 76,000 miners since 1968. After decades of decline, the incidence of coal miners with black lung disease is on the rise. According to NIOSH, miners are developing advanced cases of the disease at younger ages. In response, the Department of Labor has taken important steps to combat the disease, including promulgating a rule that reduces the allowed concentration of coal dust and eliminates weaknesses in the current dust sampling system. Retrospective studies should be continued to determine whether revisions to the standards are necessary to eliminate the disease. (11) To eliminate an avoidable delay in evaluating claims under such Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Labor has recommended legislation that would authorize the Department of Labor to have electronic access to miners’ earning records held by the Social Security Administration. I Black lung benefits A Improving the process for filing and adjudicating claims for benefits 101. Mandatory disclosure of medical information and reports Part A of the Black Lung Benefits Act ( 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 403. Mandatory medical information disclosure (a) Report In any claim for benefits under this title, an operator that requires a miner to submit to a medical examination regarding the miner’s respiratory or pulmonary condition shall, not later than 21 days after the miner has been examined, deliver to the claimant a complete copy of the examining physician’s report. The examining physician’s report shall— (1) be in writing