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Shapiro signs into law Rivera bill to help seniors maintain Rx benefits

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    November 24, 2025 | 4:26 PM

HARRISBURG, Nov. 24 — Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law state Rep. Nikki Rivera’s legislation that will ensure older Pennsylvanians do not lose their eligibility for the state’s prescription drug assistance programs due to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.

Rivera’s H.B. 923, now Act 49 of 2025, will shield seniors from losing PACE and PACENET eligibility if their annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment exceeds normal income-eligibility guidelines. This protection is currently in place but was scheduled to expire after Dec. 31. The new law will extend that protection for two more years -- until Dec. 31, 2027.

According to Rivera, the Social Security COLA for 2025 is currently 2.5%. If the moratorium had not been extended, 10,039 PACENET enrollees would have lost their eligibility. Additionally, 12,594 PACE enrollees would have been moved to PACENET, resulting in the loss of their lower copayments and the PACE-paid Part D premium.

“I am so glad that our seniors will have guaranteed continued access to PACE and PACENET in the nick of time thanks to this legislation becoming law,” Rivera said. “These programs are true lifesavers, making medication affordable. Because of this legislation, our seniors won’t have to worry about whether they can pay for medication if a necessary Social Security cost-of-living adjustment would have otherwise made them ineligible for a prescription program.

“I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who came together to put our seniors’ health and welfare ahead of partisan politics to make this bill law -- just in time for Thanksgiving,” she said.

Lancaster area seniors who are 65 or older and who need help paying for their prescriptions are encouraged to contact Rivera’s office to learn more about PACE and PACENET. Her office is located at 1560 Lititz Pike, Suite 2, in Lancaster, and can be reached by phone at 717-295-3157.