PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 388-475 WAC, a new Medicaid program is being developed. It will be called healthcare for workers with disabilities (HWD). The HWD program recognizes the employment potential of people with disabilities and represents Washington state's response to the landmark "Ticket to Work" legislation passed by congress in 1999.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 74.09.510, Section 1902 (a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This adoption is necessary to comply with federal requirements to ensure continued federal financial participation and to reflect policy contained in our Medicaid state plan. Eligibility and cost-sharing requirements described in these rules reflect appropriations funded in the Washington state operating budget (SB 6153).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: MAA will coordinate this effort with all other affected agencies, including but not limited to AASA, ESA, the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They will be furnished copies of all material drafted during this process for their review, input and comments, and will be invited to participate in meetings regarding the development of these rules. Whenever possible, announcements of opportunities to collaborate will be published in the Washington State Register and posted on agency Internet pages.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this proposed WAC amendment. 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 by contacting Stephen Kozak, Medicaid Buy-In Program Coordinator, Medical Assistance Administration, Mailstop 45534, Olympia, WA 98504-5534, phone (360) 725-1321, fax (360) 664-0910, e-mail KOZAKSJ@dshs.wa.gov, TDD 1-800-848-5429.
August 29, 2001
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit