State Rep. Steve Samuelson

The Pennsylvania House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee approved H.B.1260, legislation co-authored by state Reps. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, and Wendi Thomas, R-Bucks. The bill, which awaits a full house vote, would raise income limits by $6,000 to $33,500 for a single person and $41,500 for a married couple for the PACENET prescription program.

“This bipartisan legislation expands access to prescription medications for our seniors by building upon the proven PACE/PACENET program and expanding eligibility,” Samuelson said.

House Bill 1260 also would provide financial incentives for PACENET enrollees to sign up for federal Medicare Part D prescription coverage. Monthly premiums for Medicare Part D, currently paid by the enrollees, would be covered by PACENET for Part D plans, which have premium agreements with the state.

In 2018, Samuelson co-authored legislation with Rep. Frank Farry, R-Bucks, which raised PACENET income limits by $4,000. These higher income limits, which were signed into law in October 2018, represented the first expansion of PACENET eligibility in 15 years.

State Senator Lisa Boscola

The Northampton County Office of Veterans Affairs has been awarded a $20,000 state grant from the Commonwealth’s Veterans’ Trust Fund to provide outreach services to veterans of Northampton County.

State Rep. Bob Freeman

Bob Freeman is introducing legislation (H.B. 1933) that would require the state Board of Education to establish a tutoring program, which would provide academic credit to students in 11th and 12th grades for tutoring pupils in grades one to six. School districts would be able to implement the program at little or no cost to taxpayers and it would foster a sense of community and pride in students, according to Freeman.

House Bill 1933 was referred to the House Education Committee for consideration.

“Tutoring is a time-honored and cost-effective way to enhance academic performance for the student being tutored and the student who serves as a tutor,” said Freeman, D-Northampton.