From the conclusion of this morning's Intelligencer editorial:

That is politics at its worst. It appears the only way the mine retirees will get the immediate assistance is for lawmakers to go along with the McConnell plan or something like it. That being the situation, those resisting the idea will deserve all the blame if thousands of retirees and their families find themselves worried about a new year without health insurance.

Interesting. McConnell gets no blame for his stubbornness (why not?) nor does the editorial mention another important stumbling block - the pension fund. As USA Today reported yesterday:

Health benefits for retired union coal miners will be extended beyond Dec. 31 under a compromise nearing a final vote in Congress, but coal country lawmakers say the deal is unacceptable because it is temporary and does nothing to address a related shortfall in the miners’ pension fund.

It should be noted that both senators Manchin and Capito are against McConnell's plan. Ever notice that when local favorites do something the paper disapproves of, their names are never mentioned?