Senator Robbins Hails 20th Anniversary of PACE
Prescription Drug Plan for Seniors
Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) noted that today
marks the 20th anniversary of Pennsylvania's successful PACE
prescription drug program for senior citizens.
PACE and its extension, PACENET, both originated with proposals by
Senate Republicans. The PACE program, launched in 1984, was signed
into law by Gov. Dick Thornburgh. PACENET was added in 1996 by Gov.
Tom Ridge.
PACE (the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly)
allows eligible senior citizens to purchase a wide range of
prescription drugs for a small co-payment of $6 for generic
prescription medicine and $9 for name-brand drugs. Under PACENET,
seniors pay $8 for generics and $15 for brand name medicine, after
meeting a $40 monthly deductible.
"Pennsylvania's PACE program has been recognized as a national
model for providing vital prescription drug assistance to senior
citizens," said Robbins. "The struggle to deal with the rising cost
of health care in general and prescription drugs in particular is
ongoing, but the efforts represented by PACE and PACENET are something
for which the Commonwealth can be proud."
PACE participation reached nearly 500,000 in the late 1980s, but
fell to 224,000 in 2003. Over the years, periodic Social Security
cost-of-living adjustments have pushed seniors' incomes just over
eligibility limits, causing them to lose needed benefits.
In response, this past year the General Assembly enacted
legislation to expand eligibility limits to allow more seniors to
qualify. More than 280,000 seniors are currently enrolled in PACE and
PACENET.
To be eligible for PACE a single person must have a total income of
$14,500 or less. For a married couple, the combined total income must
be $17,700 or less. For PACENET, income eligibility is between $14,500
and $23,500 for a single person and between $17,700 and $31,500 for a
couple.
For applications or more information on PACE and PACENET, visit
www.aging.state.pa.us or
contact one of my district offices in either Greenville at
1-800-222-8793 or in Meadville at 814-336-2760
