FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. John Yudichak D-Luzerne www.pahouse.com/Yudichak

Bill to preserve seniors' PACE/PACENET eligibility sent to governor

HARRISBURG, July 7 – State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne,  said legislation (S.B. 4) that will ensure thousands of senior citizens remain eligible for the state's PACE and PACENET prescription assistance programs will soon be signed into law by the governor.

Senior citizens began receiving a 2.3 percent cost of living increase in their Social Security benefits beginning Jan. 1. Although small, the increase puts some seniors just above the income eligibility limits for the PACE and PACENET programs.

The legislation will ensure that seniors on PACE and PACENET will still be able to get their prescription-drug benefits through 2010, even if their Social Security COLA takes them over the income limit.

"The 2.3 percent Social Security cost-of-living increase could make some people ineligible for the program, but Senate Bill 4 will prevent that," Yudichak said.

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