For Immediate Release
6/28/08

Senate Approves Legislation Protecting Prescription Benefits 

HARRISBURG – The Senate passed legislation today that would prevent PACE and PACENET enrollees from losing prescription benefits due to cost of living adjustments, according to Sen. James J. Rhoades (R-29). 

"The cost of prescription drugs can be a huge burden on seniors living on a fixed income, and we must ensure that seniors in the state's prescription benefit programs continue to have access to their medications," Rhoades said. 

Senate Bill 4 would allow any individual enrolled in PACE or PACENET to remain eligible for their program if they exceed the maximum income limit due solely to a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA). 

The Senate approved a similar exemption in 2006 as part of legislation to integrate the PACE and PACENET program with the federal prescription benefit offered through Medicare. The exemption expired on December 31, 2007. 

Under Senate Bill 4, the exemption for PACENET would be retroactive to December 31, 2007, while the exemption would begin for PACE recipients on December 31, 2008. The exemption would be in effect until December 31, 2010. 

Senate Bill 4 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

CONTACT: Anna Fitzsimmons
(717)787-2637

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