HB2741, PN 4481   Hess & 48.  An Act amending the act of August 26, 1971 (P.L.351, No.91), known as the State Lottery Law, further providing for disposition of funds.  Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 6, 2004

HR 844, PN 4395  Frankel & 34. A Resolution urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS) to support quality care for Pennsylvania's seniors by expediting the approval of the State's latest provider tax submission and releasing $344 million for Medicaid payments.
Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Sept. 28, 2004

 

HB 2877,PN 4450 Benninghoff & 20. An Act providing funding for standards and for implementation of a 211 abbreviated dialing code for information and human services referral telephone service; establishing the 211 Advisory Committee; and making an appropriation. Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Oct. 4, 2004
 

HB2741, PN 4134 Hess & 44. Would earmark 25% of Lottery Funds (available after other commitments are met) to area agencies on aging through a block-grant program based on census data and 1% to senior centers. Includes reporting requirements about how the funds are spent. Referred to FINANCE 6/22/04. Reported as committed 6/29/04 and re-referred to Aging & Older Adult Services.

 SB 1159, PN 1695 O'Pake & 17. Would appropriate $50 million from the Lottery Fund for the Department of Aging for FY 2004-2005 for PENNCARE for older Pennsylvanians "for the purpose of developing, operating and purchasing services for the aged and older adults" including "model projects, community care services, audits of area agencies on aging, protective services and counseling services." Referred to APPROPRIATIONS 6/14.04.

HB52, PN 55 Sather & 34. Establishes a Long-Term Care Partnership Program within Insurance, Aging and Welfare departments. Defines "asset disregard." Passed House 6/23 (199-0) and referred to Senate Banking & Insurance Committee 7/7/03.

SB253, PN 259 Tomlinson & 7. Companion bill to HB52; establishes Long-Term Care Partnership Program. Referred to Banking  Insurance 2/10/03

SB 136, PN 1641 Mowery & 14. Licensure of assisted living residences and services, for expansion of publicly funded home-based and community-based assisted living services and for greater information to the public about long-term care options; expanding Medicaid-funded services under the Pennsylvania State plan and through the expansion of home-based and community-based services waivers; establishing a new State-funded program of assisted living services to help consumers bridge to eligibility under Medicaid; eliminates barriers and financial disincentives to receiving home-based and community-based assisted living services; confers powers and duties on the Department of Public Welfare, the Department of Health and the Department of Aging; and makes an appropriation. Referred to Public Health & Welfare 2/3/03.Reported as amended and first consideration 5/18/04. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS 6/7/04.

SB 174, PN178 Schwartz & 7. Long-Term Care Partnership Act. Establishes a LTC partnership program to be administered by DPW to provide for the protection of assets of long-term care insurance policy holders and for coordination of the same with DPW’s medical assistance program. Outlines duties of Insurance Department, establishes a Long-Term Care Insurance Review Board, and assigns duties to Dept. of Aging. Under the program, private insurance and Medicaid funds shall be combined to finance long-term care. This is a rather complex 15-page bill that incorporates some positive/interesting proposals with some items of likely concern. Referred to Banking & Insurance 2/5/03.

HB 304, PN 4020  Prior PN 350 Maitland & 38. Defines home care agency and provides for services ordered by physicians in other states. Passed Senate (50-0) on 6/9/04; House concurred (201-0) to amendments and signed 6/15/04. Approved by the Governor, June 23, 2004.  Act No. 44
 

HB 420, PN 2113 Watson & 47. Licensing and regulation requirements for adult living residences by the Department of Welfare and adds members to Intra-Governmental Council on Long-Term Care and provides an increase in State supplemental assistance for persons in personal care homes. Passed House with amendments 199-0 on 6/18/03. Referred to Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee 6/30/03.

HB 421, PN485 Vance & 94. "Nursing Home Consumer Protection Act" Requires long-term care facilities to make public disclosures regarding compliance, etc; reports must be made to departments of Health and Aging, and PDA must maintain comparative nursing home data on website. Referred to Aging & Youth 2/24/03

HB491, PN585 Wojnarski & 12. Would certify long-term care nursing facilities and personal care homes that offer support for cognitive impairments. Passed House 199-0 6/18. Referred to Senate Public Health & Welfare Comm.

HB518, PN3435   Prior PN1480 Hess & 31. Provides for licensing of home care agencies; defines activities of daily living, home care agency, and establishes regulations and requirements for licensing. Passed House 197-0 on 6/16/03. Referred to Senate Aging & Youth Comm. 6/30/03. Reported as amended and given first consideration 3/16/04. Re-referred to Appropriations.

SB565, PN 623 Schwartz & 13. Sets minimum staffing levels at long term care facilities. SB566, PN 624 Schwartz & 7. Requires long-term care facilities to disclose quality of care data. SB 567, PN 630 Schwartz & 14. Licensing and inspection for personal care homes. SB 568, PN 631 Schwartz & 6. Home care agency registration/licensing and inspection. Collectively called "SAFEcare" ; all referred to Public Health and Welfare 4/03.

HB620, PN2035 Pallone & 31. Would create a long-term care death and abuse resource team within the departments of Aging and Health (plus Welfare, the Attorney General and the LTC Ombudsman) to investigate such incidents and create a data collection and reporting system. Passed House 6/18. Referred to Senate Aging & Youth Comm. 6/30/03.

HB801, PN933 Sather & 43. Would establish training and certification requirements for "qualified assessors of individuals needing Long Term Care services" through the Department of Aging. Passed House 199-0 on 6/18/03. Referred to Senate Aging & Youth  Comm. 6/30/03.

HB941, PN4480  Prior PN1107  Pistella & 41. Would set up the "Enhanced Senior Services Demonstration Program" within the departments of Aging, Welfare and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to provide alternatives to Long Term Care to low- and moderate-income chronically impaired or disabled who are eligible for or at risk of placement in a nursing facility. Referred to Aging and Older Adult Services 3/20/03. Tabled  Oct. 5, 2004

HB975, PN 1145 Costa & 34. Companion to SB 565 above -- staffing levels at LTC facilities. Referred to Health and Human Services 3/25/03.

HB1039, PN 1214 Dailey & 37. Concerns admission to and retention in personal care homes, appeals, and reports from the Dept. of Welfare to the General Assembly. Passed House 199-0 6/18/03; referred to Senate Public Health and Welfare Comm. 6/3/03. Approved by the Governor, July 4, 2004.  Act No. 69
 

HB1071, PN 1251 O'Brien & 42. Would expand public funding for home and community-based assisted living services, make more public information available about long-term care options, expand access to Medicaid-funding services, including removal of financial disincentives. Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services 4/7/03.

HB1074, PN 1254 Pistella & 38. Establishes the Long Term Care Council.  Re-reported 9/9/03 as committed to Rules after first consideration and tabled.  Removed from the table and re-tabled 1/28/04.

HB1099, PN 1290 DeLuca & 38. Provides for assistance to the elderly in purchasing Medicare supplement and Medicare HMO policies; provides for use of tobacco litigation Master Settlement Agreement funds, and establishes the Elder Health Care Subsidy Fund. Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services 4/8/03.

HB1185, PN1415 Santoni & 30. Would create the Center for Long-Term Care Technical Assistance and Resource Center within the Department of Aging "to review the activities and environment of long-term care facilities" to "recommend and fully utilize Federal, State and community resources that enhance the quality of life for older persons." Referred to Aging and Older Adult Services 4/16/03. Removed from the table and re-tabled 1/6/04.

HB1211, PN 2632 Micozzie & 73. Amends the Welfare Code to allow $40 monthly personal needs for medical assistance eligible persons in facilities.  Passed House (202-0) on 11/18/03. Referred to Senate Public Health and Welfare Commitee 11/25/03. Re-referred to Appropriations 6/7/04.

HB1579, PN2116 Samuelson & 14. Concerns residents of long-term care facilities, requirements for admission, care, transfer, discharge, funds and privacy. Passed House 199-0  on 6/18/03. Referred to Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee 7/7/03.

HB2372, PN 3332 Vance & 35. Would create a dispute resolution process for long term care nursing facilities and an informal dispute resolution panel within the Department of Health, and provide for the membership of the panel and the scope of its reviews and data collection.  Referred to Health and Human Services, 2/20/04.

HB236 PN 265 Baker & 59. Family Caregiver Support Act. Establishes a program to assist persons who bear primary responsibility for the at-home care of functionally dependent older adults and victims of chronic dementia. Sets reimbursement maximums at $600 per month for a qualified caregiver whose household income is under 200% of poverty level. Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services 2/11/03

HB 462, PN540 Tangretti & 57. Allocates 6.5% of the Lottery Fund to train and educate Alzheimers caregivers. Referred to Finance 2/25/03

SB158, PN 164 Earll & 16. Further protection from abuse and for appointing guardians for care-dependent persons. Referred to Aging & Youth 2/4/03.

SB240, PN 247 Orie & 11. Amends act relating to protection of the abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned elderly; establishes uniform Statewide reporting and investigative system for suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment of the elderly and provides for reporting of older adults in need of protective services. Referred to Aging & Youth 2/7/03.

SB241, PN 248 Orie & 8. Makes it an offense not to report physical abuse of persons age 60 or more by physicians and medical personnel. Referred to Aging & Youth. 2/7/03

SB242, PN249 Orie & 9. Amends Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate release of information about convictions and pleas of workers. Referred to Aging & Youth 2/2/03

SB316, PN 331 Greenleaf & 10. Mandates court jurisdiction over guardianship support agencies; further providing for incapacitated persons with regard to notice of petition, hearings, appointment of guardians, emergency guardians, evidence of incapacity, reports of guardians, powers of guardians to enter into leases and accountings, and making technical changes. Referred to Judiciary 2/13/03

HB361, PN425 Yudichak & 38. Establishes statewide reporting and investigative system for elder abuse. Referred to Judiciary 2/24/03.

SB358, PN371 Stack & 15. Increases the minimum penalty for theft by deception from 12 to 24 months when the victims are age 60 or more. Referred to Judiciary 3/3/03

HB2319, PN 3628 Vance & 50. Defines employment and the ground for denying it due to past criminal convictions. Amends Older Adult Protective Services Act. Passed House 186-3 on 3/31/04.  Referred to Senate Aging & Youth Committee 4/13/04.

HB2360, PN3314 Veon & 33. Defines past criminal convictions and their effect on employment in the aging care network; would create a State Board of Long Term Care Employment Review within the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Referred to Aging and Older Adult Services 2/10/04.

HB2609, PN3861 Casorio & 17. Sets mandatory sentences for crimes committed by someone under 60 where the victim is over 60 (aggravated assault, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and theft by deception.) HB2610, PN3862 (same sponsors). Adds forgery and theft by unlawful taking to the list of offenses. Both referred to Judiciary 5/12/04.

HB 2837,PN 4372.  Kenney. An act amending the act of July 5, 2004 (P.L. 654, No. 72), known as Homeowner Tax Relief Act, further providing for the reduction of wage taxes in the cities of the first class: and providing for senior citizen real property tax rebates in the cities of the first class. Referred to FINANCE, Sept. 17, 2004

HB164, PN 184 Solobay & 66. Income source definition to qualify for Senior Citizen Tax Rebates. Reported as committed to Finance, given first consideration and tabled 9/10/03. Removed from the table and re-tabled 10/15/03. Removed from the table and re-tabled 12/9/08. Removed from the table and re-tabled 2/2/04.

HB359, PN 423 Yudichak & 39. Defines treatment of federal retirement and veterans retirement income for eligibility for tax rebates. Referred to Finance 2/24/03

Other details of qualifications for property or real estate tax rebate or relief are also found in HB34, HB35, HB313, HB572, HB988, SB49, SB65, and SB186. None have moved in committee since their introductions.

HB2703, PN 4064 DeLuca & 76. Establishes a program of real estate property tax deferral for senior citizens whose incomes also qualify them for PACE. Referred to Committee on Local Government 6/14/04.

SB7,PN806 Orie & 12. Would require rebates and discounts to PACE/PACENET for "excessive pharmaceutical price inflation." First consideration 5/13; Re-referred to Appropriations 6/12/03.

SB20, PN 361 Tomlinson & 7. Establishes procedures for placing slot machines at race tracks. Earmarks 10% of revenues to go to Department of Aging for expansion of PACE and PACENET programs. Referred to Finance 2/26/03.

SB21, PN14 Rhoades & 16. Excludes military service-related disability compensation as income consideration for prescription assistance. Referred to Aging & Youth 1/21/03

HR46, PN 140 Walko & 4. References Pennsylvania’s 20 years’ experience in providing pharmaceutical assistance for low-income seniors and requests the Department of Aging to file an application with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to secure an acceptable Medicare Demonstration Project to provide additional moneys through Medicare savings to expand and enhance pharmaceutical coverage for low-income seniors while protecting the viability of the PACE and PACENET programs. Referred to Rules 2/6/03.

SB47, PN 30 Greenleaf & 10. Would set up seven tiers of eligibility for PACENET, beginning with current eligibility and increasing to $36,000. and $39, 200 for single/married applicants, respectively.  The Bill then adds seven levels of annual deductibles ranging from $0 to $600.; and yet another set of seven tiers, setting forth co-pays within a range of $8. (generic) and $15 (branded) for Tier I participants,  to $16 and $23 for Tier 7.  (Referred to Aging & Youth 1/22/03).

SB64, PN 63  Wagner & 20. Provides a COLA for PACE eligbility beginning January 1, 2002 and each January 1 thereafter at a percentage equivalent to the change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) in PA, NJ, DE and MD. (Referred to Aging & Youth 1/27/03.) 

HB227, PN 256 DeWeese & 78. Creates the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Patient Assistance Program within the Department of Health to link eligible recipients with programs from drug makers; funds information programs about same. Referred to Health and Human Services 2/11/03

HB269, PN 307 Waters & 39. Sets PACE income eligibility maximums at $14,000 for individuals and $28,000 for couples. Referred to Finance 2/12/03

SB300, PN 315 Costa & 20. Amends State Lottery Law to eliminate the PACENET program; provides rebates for "excessive" pharmaceutical price inflation, and provides for a single pharmacy benefits manager and a Drug Utilization Review Committee. Provides for Dept. of Aging to increase income eligibility by regulation. Referred to Aging & Youth 2/13/03.

SB326, PN342 Tartaglione & 13. Allocates $35 million from State Store Fund to Dept. of aging to expands pharmaceutical assistance program coverage. Referred to Law & Justice 2/18/03.

SB418,PN440 Stack & 20. Mandates rebates from pharmaceutical manufacturers to PACE and PACENET under certain conditions. Referred to Aging & Youth 3/10/03.

HB362, PN426 Yudichak & 26. Provides for pharmaceutical discount card minimum standards, including dispensing fees and wholesale discounts. Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services 2/24/03.

HB504, PN 598 Harhart & 57. Would create an annual PACE identification card. Referred to Aging & Older Adult Services 2/26/03.

HB621, PN 722 Pallone & 56. Requires the Department of Aging to create an internet "Consumer Guide to Prescription Assistance Programs" and send the URL to AAA's and others. Referred to Aging and Older Adult Services 3/3/03.

HB777, PN 1021 Petrone & 36.  Allows video lottery machines at race tracks and designates share of revenues to go into the state Lottery Fund and elsewhere. Referred to Finance 3/13/03.

HB888, PN2919 Vance & 56. An Act providing for pharmaceutical assistance for the elderly, for
pharmaceutical purchasing, for limited prescription drug redistribution within certain health care facilities and for pharmaceutical practices and cost control program; imposing additional powers and duties on the
department of Aging, Health, Public Welfare and the Secretary of Administration. Signed into law as Act No. 37 on Nov. 26, 2003

SB434, PN 455 Conti & 3. Would increase PACE and PACENET annual income eligibility limits adjusted by Consumer Price Index; includes "Medicare Managed Care Fair Share Program" and best price purchasing for prescription drugs. Referred to Aging & Youth 3/11/03.

HB 1181, PN1411 Laughlin & 55. Defines income eligibility for PACE and PACENET. Referred to Finance 4/16/03.

SR207, PN1415 Orie & 20. Asks the U.S. Congress to designate the PACE Program, "the premiere pharmacy assistance program in the country," as the enroller of Medicare and Medicaid recipients of the drug benefit under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 to allow for "one-stop shopping" and a single enrollment.  Referred to Aging & Youth 3/9/04. Reported out 3/16/04. Recommitted to Aging & Youth 5/3/04.

SR 8 Introduced by Aging & Youth Chair Jane Orie & 11 others.  A highly comprehensive Concurrent Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a task force to study the availability and accessibility of intensive and appropriate community services and supports for persons with serious mental illness, addictive disorders and co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders; to determine the individual and community consequences of leaving untreated and undertreating such illnesses and disorders and the relationship to incarceration and homelessness; to determine the gaps n private insurance coverage and public funding of services for individuals suffering from such illnesses and disorders; and to make recommendations on addressing these gaps and meeting individual needs while respecting individual rights and dignity." Referred to Public Health & Welfare 1/21/03

HB490, PN 584 Wojnaroski & 47. Would put a $20 million bond issue referendum for the Senior Center Grant Program on the ballot of the next election following passage.Referred to Appropriations 2/26/03

SB 270, PN 272 Musto & 6. Establishes an 11-member Health Care Commission for Aging within the Department of Aging to study the long-term care industry and the inclusion of Medicare eligible individuals under broad health care reform initiatives. Would make recommendations to the General Assembly. Referred to Aging & Youth 2/10/03.

HB1101, PN1336 DeLuca & 44. Would allow persons age 75 or more to opt out of jury duty. Referred to Judiciary 4/8/03. + SB1144, PN1670 Greenleaf & 12. Same provisions.  Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee 6/11/04.

HB1194, PN1424 Hess & 54. Sets up a demonstration project called the Senior Tax Reduction Incentive Volunteer Exchange (STRIVE) Program in the Department of Aging. Would give seniors a real estate property tax credit of $5  for each hour of services they provide to academic programs of a school district. Referred to Aging and Older Adult Services 4/16/03.

SB603, PN664 Greenleaf & 16. Would set up grants through the Department of Aging to statewide senior citizen volunteer programs that provide youth tutoring, dropout prevention, teen parenting guidance and assistance to special needs children, among other services. Referred to Aging & Youth 4/15/03.

SB830, PN1101 Stack & 17. Would grant "Senior Citizen Good Driver Insurance Discounts" of up to 20% to those age 55 or more who pass a driver improvement course and have annual income below $50,000. Referred to House Banking & Insurance Committee 6/24/03.

SR171, PN1264  Erickson & 14. Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of the state Civil Service system to determine if it places a burden on counties for hiring qualified employees. Adopted 12/8/03 and transmitted as directed 12/10/03.

HB2216, PN3013 Hess & 43. Gives $25 million from Tobacco Settlement Funds to the Department of Aging to distribute to Area Agencies on Aging for senior transportation, senior center services, and home and community based services. Reported by Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, first consideration, and laid on the table 12/16/03. Removed from the table and laid on the table 2/10/04.

HB2223, PN3033 Pistella & 30. "Older Adult Education Act" Would direct the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to make tuition grants to students age 60 or more who attend community colleges or state owned institutions of higher education while pursuing associate and bachelor's degrees. Referred to Education Committee 12/8/03

HB2361, PN3315 Hess &38. Would exempt those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from vehicle registration fees, except for a $10 processing charge. Referred to Transportation Committee 2/10/04.

HR618, PN3485  S.H. Smith & 86. Directs the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to review Pennsylvania's long-term care "continuum" and demographic information to identify future demand for LTC services, how to meet these needs and finance them. Adopted 3/31/04 187-0.

HR694 Hess & 23; SR244 Tartaglione & 29. Companion resolutions declaring May, 2004 as "Older Pennsylvanians Month." 4/14/04.

HB 103, PN 124 Barrar & 41. Reduces vehicle registration fee to $10 for non-profit organizations including those that provide services for the elderly. Referred to Transportation 2/4/03

HB28, PN34 Adolph & 53. Further defines an individual eligible for benefits under programs funded by the Tobacco Settlement. Referred to Finance 1/29/03

HB1099, PN1290 DeLuca & 38. Would establish  within the Department of Aging a Elder Health Care Subsidy Fund from tobacco settlement sources to give assistance with purchase of Medicare Supplement and Medicare HMO policies. Referred to Aging and Older Adult Services 4/8/03.

 HB2734, PN 4121 Harper & 41. Further defines "eligible adult" as someone on a waiting list who purchases other coverage and makes the beginning and ending dates coincide for the private and public coverage. Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 6/17/04;    Reported as committed, 6/29/04; First consideration, 6/29;  Re-committed to RULES, 6/29/04. Laid on the table, Sept. 27, 2004