House Bill 923 has been advanced with the aim to safeguard low-income seniors’ access to prescription drug assistance. The bill, which recently passed unanimously in the House, now awaits consideration in the Senate. “That’s why I’m proud to support House Bill 923. This bill would help more low-income seniors maintain access to prescription drug assistance through the PACE and PACENET programs,” said Representative Jill Cooper.
The legislation addresses a key issue faced by many elderly citizens. The bill proposes a “moratorium” on including income from a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) when determining eligibility for these vital programs. Representative Cooper highlighted that COLA increases could inadvertently cause many seniors to lose access to prescription drug assistance.
Act 62 of 2023 previously allowed about 20,000 seniors to remain part of the PACE and PACENET programs, despite COLA-related disqualifications. However, the current moratorium is set to expire at the year’s end. With the Social Security COLA for 2025 projected at 2.5%, more than 10,000 PACENET enrollees and over 12,500 PACE enrollees could lose their current benefits without an extension. House Bill 923 seeks to prolong this moratorium through December 2027.
PACE and PACENET are aid initiatives for residents aged 65 and above. PACE’s income limit is $14,500 for singles and $17,700 for couples annually. PACENET caters to those with an income of up to $33,500 for singles and $41,500 for couples. “More information on eligibility can be found at pa.gov/agencies/aging,” Cooper advised.
Other updates from Representative Cooper’s office include reminders about the impending enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act, scheduled for May 7. While REAL ID is not mandatory in Pennsylvania, a federally accepted ID will be required for some activities.
Representative Cooper also announced a shredding event on May 21 at the Washington Township/Export District Office. The event will coincide with a food drive to assist local families. Moreover, a Senior Expo, in collaboration with Senator Joe Pittman and Representative Abby Major, will take place on May 22. The expo will feature health screenings, personal safety information, and financial planning resources.
For inquiries, constituents can contact Media Contact Jordan Frei at 724.875.8450 or via email at jfrei@pahousegop.com. More information is available on Representative Jill Cooper’s official website and Facebook page.
