|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus |
|
Shimkus offers way to include more seniors
in state's PACE and PACENET programs
SCRANTON, April 11 – At a news conference in Scranton today, state Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, unveiled a plan to open the state's prescription assistance programs, PACE and PACENET, to more senior citizens.
Shimkus announced the introduction of legislation (H.B. 2467) that would increase the maximum annual income for PACE eligibility from $14,500 to $16,500 for a single person and from $17,700 to $19,700 for a married couple's combined total income.
It also would increase the PACENET maximum income eligibility from $23,500 to $25,500 for a single person and from $31,500 to $33,500 for a married couple's combined total income.
"The economy is hitting people in my district and all over the Commonwealth hard, and senior citizens get hit the hardest," Shimkus said. "They are pinching pennies to pay utility bills, to pay grocery bills and to pay gas bills. If we could add more of our senior citizens to our PACE and PACENET programs so they can get their prescription medicines paid it would certainly put many minds at ease."
PACE and PACENET programs offer Pennsylvania’s low-income senior citizens prescription assistance. Shimkus said with soaring fuel and energy costs, and rising inflation, more seniors need help affording their prescription drugs.
###lr/2008/mjh
l:'print'releases'PacePacenetBill.113