It is good news for Lower Bucks County residents enrolled in prescription assistance programs as House Bill 923, which was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, is now heading to the Pennsylvania Senate.
HB 923 is an Act amending the State Lottery Law (P.L.351, No.91) in pharmaceutical assistance and eligibility determination for the elderly. The bill allows current PACE and PACENET cardholders to remain enrolled, even if they would normally be ineligible because of Social Security cost-of-living increases. The extension will remain in effect until December 31, 2027.
The states prescription drug assistance programs for seniors, PACE and PACENET, provide medications for more than 250,000 older Pennsylvanians. While many individuals welcome Social Security cost-of-living adjustments to their income, COLA increases sometimes result in ineligibility.
Act 62 of 2023 permitted approximately 20,000 PACE and PACENET cardholders to remain enrolled in those programs that they otherwise would have been ineligible for due to COLA increases. The COLA moratorium under Act 62 expires on December 31, 2025.
The Social Security COLA for 2025 is 2.5% and without extending the moratorium, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would lose their coverage. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would move to PACENET, losing their lower copayment and their PACE-paid Part D premium.
The Social Security COLA for 2025 is 2.5% and without extending the moratorium, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would lose their coverage. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would move to PACENET, losing their lower copayment and PACE-paid Part D premium.
Democratic Representative Nikki Rivera is the bill’s sponsor with 23 co-sponsors, including four local lawmakers. Republican Representatives Shelby Labs and Kristin Marcell, and Democratic Representatives Perry Warren and Tina Davis
Upon passing the Senate, the bill will be forwarded to the office of Governor Josh Shapiro, where it will be signed into law.
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