An increase in the income limit for PACENET prescription-drug coverage passed the state House last week and moves to the Senate for a vote.

State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, of Schuylkill County, who along with other local legislators approved the bill, said the legislation would help thousands more senior citizens get help paying for their prescriptions.

House Bill 270 would increase the income limit for PACENET prescription-drug coverage from $23,500 to $27,500 for single people and from $31,500 to $35,500 for married couples.

“It’s been 16 years since PACENET income limits have been increased,” said Goodman, D-Schuylkill. “By updating the income requirements, we can ensure access to affordable prescription drugs and help thousands of our friends and family members maintain their quality of life.”

An estimated 14,400 Pennsylvanians would benefit from this change, including more than 200 seniors in Schuylkill County.

Susan Zeigler, of the Carbon County Area Agency on Aging, said if the bill passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, it would be a huge benefit for seniors.

“Medicine is expensive, and any kind of help our seniors can get would be appreciated,” Zeigler said.

“I think it is great our Legislature is looking at the fact that people are having a problem paying for medication and they are trying to help.”

She feels it may be most beneficial to seniors who opted not to sign up for Medicare Part D when they turned 65.

One Carbon resident she spoke with recently is paying around a $30 per month penalty for not signing up at that time.

“When they turned 65, they weren’t taking any medication, and now they are in their 70s and need to take medication,” Zeigler said.

“This new action would help them out if they meet the income guidelines.”

There have been past attempts to change PACE­NET eligibility requirements. In 2016, the House passed a bill to increase limits to $31,000 for a single person and to $41,000 for a couple, but the plan failed to gain traction from there.

The most recent legislation was penned by state Rep. Frank Farry, a Bucks County Republican.

“Every day many seniors on fixed incomes have to choose between medication and other necessities, and that’s a choice no one should have to make,” Farry said.

“An expansion of the PACENET program would allow them to better afford the prescriptions they need to maintain healthy lives.”

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where state Sen. John Yudichak said he will support it.

“The PACE/PACENET program is long overdue for an expansion, and by increasing the income limits, we can give thousands of senior citizens across the commonwealth, including over 300 seniors in the 14th Legislative District, access to prescription drug coverage,” Yudichak said.

“Our seniors depend on this coverage, and it is vital that we get this legislation passed.”