For Immediate Release
May 28, 2008
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers available

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is once again making its Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Voucher program available to the Commonwealth's senior citizens.

Eligible seniors who are age 60 or older can receive $20 in vouchers which can be used to purchase healthy and delicious produce from their local farmers' markets. The income limits for eligibility are $19,240 for individuals and $25,900 for married couples. Vouchers will be available on a first come, first serve basis beginning June 18 at local senior centers, including the following in Lancaster County:

• Cocalico Area Senior Center, 156 W. Main Street, Reinholds, 336-7489
• Columbia Senior Center, Columbia United Methodist Church, 510 Walnut Street, Columbia, 684-4850
• Conestoga Valley Community Center, 333 W. Main Street, Leola, 656-2822
• Elizabethtown Area Senior Center, 70 S. Poplar Street, Elizabethtown, 367-7984
• Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center, 601 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, 299-3943
• LRC Senior Center, 525 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster, 399-7671
• Lititz Senior Center, Lititz United Methodist Church, 201 E. Market Street, Lititz, 626-2800
• Luis Munoz Marin Senior Center, 545 Pershing Avenue, Lancaster, 295-7989
• Millersville Senior Center, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 222 N. George Street, Millersville, 871-9600
• Overlook Activity Center, 2042 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, 569-2071
• Solanco Area Senior Center, Quarryville Community Park, 184 S. Lime Street, Quarryville, 786-4770

New law to help uninsured cancer patients access medicine

A new state law will help those in need gain access to safe, unused cancer medications by creating a cancer drug repository.

While many new drugs can treat cancers in effective ways, they can often cost thousands of dollars per month. However, the American Cancer Society has noted that unused medications can be a very valuable resource for low-income patients.

Under Act 14, a health care facility, health clinic, hospital, pharmacy or physician's office could return unused medications if they are in their original sealed packaging, and are accompanied by a donor form signed by the donor or an authorized representative. Cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured will then be able to access these medications through a network of participating pharmacies and medical clinics.

The State Board of Pharmacy will now develop regulations to create income eligibility criteria, as well as other standards, procedures and applications.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate deadline approaching

Eligible senior citizens have until June 30 to submit their Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications for property taxes and rent paid in 2007.

The rebate program benefits Pennsylvanians age 65 or older, widows and widowers age 50 or older, and those with disabilities who are age 18 or older. The expanded income and rebate amounts for homeowners are as follows:

• $0 to $8,000, maximum rebate of $650
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum rebate of $500
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum rebate of $300
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum rebate of $250

Renters with incomes between $0 and $8,000 are eligible for a $650 rebate and those with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 are eligible for a $500 rebate. All applicants may exclude half of Social Security and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits when calculating their income.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms are available at the Lititz district office at 301 E. Main Street, Lititz, or by calling 627-0036 (toll-free 1-866-738-1601) to have one mailed to you. In addition, my staff is always ready to answer your questions or provide assistance in completing your rebate form.