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The Weekly Roundup
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Prescription Drug Coverage to Benefit More Seniors
Legislation to expand eligibility for the state’s PACENET prescription drug coverage program was sent to the governor this week. Up to 17,000 Pennsylvania seniors are expected to benefit from this expansion.
House Bill 270 would increase the annual maximum income limits in the PACENET program to $27,500 for a single person and to $35,500 for a married couple. Current maximum income requirements for the PACENET program, which covers those individuals with incomes exceeding PACE maximums, are $23,500 for a single individual and $31,500 for a married couple annually.
Additionally, the bill would allow two new pharmacy-based programs to be developed under the PACE program to assist seniors in monitoring their prescription drug usage.
This eligibility expansion would be the first since 2004, and it is funded by proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery.
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Drug and Alcohol Awareness Expo Set for Thursday
It’s almost time for our annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Expo, which will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25. The free event will run from 6-8 p.m. at Jim Thorpe Area High School, located at 1 Olympian Way in Jim Thorpe.
This event is open to all ages, and children are invited to wear Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat with vendors at the expo. A prescription drug-drop box will be on site for the safe disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Click here for our event flyer.
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Spotlight on My Legislation
Tuesday at the Capitol, I testified at a Senate committee hearing on the “role and impact of pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in Pennsylvania.” PBMs have been undercutting reimbursements to community pharmacies for medications sold to patients on Medicaid. This practice has led to substantial financial difficulties for community pharmacies. I am the prime sponsor of House Bill 2212, which would remedy this problem.
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Providing “Safe Harbor” to Child Trafficking Victims
After it’s unanimous passage by the General Assembly this week, legislation has been sent to the governor that would protect the young victims of human trafficking from criminal prosecution by diverting their cases to county child protective services. Senate Bill 554, of the “Safe Harbor Law,” would also provide safe, long-term housing, education, life-skills training and counseling to these children. In addition, police officers would be trained to identify, interview and assist child victims.
Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise, second only to the drug trade. Nearly 300 human trafficking cases have been reported in Pennsylvania since 2016.
I have been an outspoken advocate for this bill and am pleased it is finally on the governor’s desk. At least 34 other states have a Safe Harbor Law.
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Welcome to the Capitol!
It was my pleasure to welcome these Bloomsburg University nursing students to the Capitol on Wednesday. They are (from left) Micaela Heffley, Kelly Westerman and Tori Kunkle. Kelly and Tori are from Carbon County, and Micaela is my niece.
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Arts Grants Awarded
Congratulations to our local recipients of Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts grants - the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival and the Ukrainian American Heritage Foundation. The funding was awarded Tuesday night at the Lehigh Valley Arts Council's “Arts COUNT 2018” reception in Allentown. I was busy in Harrisburg, so a member of my staff, Timm Berger (blue tie), attended on my behalf.
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| Office Locations |
| 110 North Third Street, 2nd Floor, Lehighton, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 403 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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