Pennsylvania House Bill HB923

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/14/25
• Refer: 3/14/25
• Refer: 4/9/25
• Report Pass: 4/22/25
• Engrossed: 4/22/25
• Refer: 4/28/25
• Refer: 11/18/25
• Report Pass: 11/18/25
• Enrolled: 11/19/25
• Chaptered: 11/24/25
• Passed: 11/24/25

Caption

In pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, further providing for determination of eligibility.

Summary

HB923 amends Pennsylvania’s State Lottery Law provisions governing pharmaceutical assistance for older adults, specifically the PACE and PACENET programs. The bill extends the existing “hold harmless” eligibility protection for participants whose income rises above program limits only because of a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Under the bill, people enrolled in PACE or PACENET as of December 31, 2024 may remain eligible if the only reason they exceed the income cap is the COLA. The measure also extends the duration of that protection, moving the expiration date from December 31, 2025 to December 31, 2027. It takes effect immediately, meaning the updated eligibility rules apply without delay. In practical terms, the bill is designed to prevent seniors from losing prescription drug assistance solely because inflation-driven Social Security increases push them over the income threshold.

Impact

The bill directly amends Section 503(b) of the State Lottery Law, which governs eligibility for Pennsylvania’s PACE and PACENET pharmaceutical assistance programs for older adults. It preserves eligibility for current enrollees who would otherwise be disqualified only because of a Social Security COLA, and it updates the relevant reference date and sunset date in statute. The affected parties are low-income seniors and older adults enrolled in or seeking to remain in these prescription assistance programs, as well as the state agency administering the benefit.

Sentiment

The available voting history shows strong, bipartisan support for the bill at every stage, with unanimous committee and floor votes in both chambers. The lack of recorded opposition suggests the measure was viewed as a routine but important extension of an existing consumer protection for seniors rather than a controversial policy change. Overall sentiment appears favorable and pragmatic, focused on maintaining access to prescription assistance for older Pennsylvanians.

Contention

No substantive contention is reflected in the provided transcripts or voting record. The only policy issue implicit in the bill is whether to continue shielding PACE and PACENET participants from losing eligibility because of Social Security COLA increases, and the unanimous votes indicate broad agreement on that approach. Any debate would likely center on program cost, eligibility thresholds, and how long the hold-harmless provision should remain in place, but no opposing arguments are documented here.