FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY.

SEC. 19142. FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY. (a) Findings.— The Congress finds that— (1) the production, transportation, and use of coal substantially affects interstate and foreign commerce and the national public interest; and (2) in order to secure the stability of interstate commerce, it is necessary to modify the current private health care benefit plan structure for retirees in the coal industry to identify persons most responsible for plan liabilities in order to stabilize plan funding and allow for the provision of health care benefits to such retirees. (b) Statement of Policy.— It is the policy of this subtitle— (1) to remedy problems with the provision and funding of health care benefits with respect to the beneficiaries of multiemployer benefit plans that provide health care benefits to retirees in the coal industry; (2) to allow for sufficient operating assets for such plans; and (3) to provide for the continuation of a privately financed self-sufficient program for the delivery of health care benefits to the beneficiaries of such plans.