The Social Security Administration and the Public Health Service recruited staff for the UMW program.

CNN: Commentary: Don't cut our (public) health care

By picking up the tab for rehabilitation and disability support, the federal government also kept the UMW program financially sustainable.

CNN: Commentary: Don't cut our (public) health care

Through the fund, UMW built a network of well equipped, modern hospitals, bringing about a major improvement in living standards.

CNN: Commentary: Don't cut our (public) health care

About two years later UMW Petropipe, a unit of a Malaysian conglomerate, invested 10 million yuan that helped Hilong into drill pipe manufacturing.

FORBES: Add Oil! Chinese Drill-Pipe Maker Ventures Into The Middle East

As employment declined and mining families struggled in the 1960s, mineworkers launched widespread protest demonstrations and traveled to Washington to lobby for federal support of UMW hospitals.

CNN: Commentary: Don't cut our (public) health care