Isn't the relevant statistic not the absolute number of mining fatalities, but the number of mining fatalities per miner?
Looking at your figures, there was one fatality for every 3349 miners during the Clinton years (1993-2000), and one fatality for every 3553 miners during the Bush years (2001-2004). Looks like things are better now - and I say that as a Democrat.
Sorry to hear of your illness. I hope you get well soon.