PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 388-535 WAC, Dental-related services; chapter 388-544 WAC, Vision and hearing aid services; chapter 388-438 WAC, Emergency assistance for medical needs; and possible other related rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.510, 74.09.520, 74.09.530, 74.09.700.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: MAA anticipates the need to reduce or eliminate certain medical program services due to anticipated budget cuts in the 2001-2003 biennial budget. The rules listed above may require amendment or repeal to achieve the necessary reduction.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) administers the Medicaid program on the federal level; any state plan amendments that are necessary to carry out legislative directives will be pursued with it.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on this action. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the DSHS representative identified below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication contacting Ann Myers, Regulatory Improvement Program Manager, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1345, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail myersea@dshs.wa.gov.
March 13, 2001
Bonita H. Jacques, Chief
Office of Legal Affairs