PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The commissioner may consider amending rules governing the state health insurance pool. These rules would require pool coverage in Washington counties where no comprehensive individual health plans are commercially available. The commissioner has requested that the Health Insurance Pool Board submit an amendment to its plan of operation to assure the availability of comprehensive health insurance to state residents. The commissioner may adopt rules governing pool operations consistent with this request to assure the fair, reasonable, and equitable administration of the pool.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.41.040 and 48.41.170.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Many state residents are unable to purchase a comprehensive, commercial, individual health plan from a health carrier. The Washington state health insurance pool was created in 1987 "to provide a mechanism to insure the availability of comprehensive health insurance to persons unable to obtain such insurance coverage on either an individual or group basis directly under any health plan." (RCW 48.41.020) This statutory statement of purpose precisely describes the circumstances of state residents in many Washington counties. The commissioner intends to consider all rules necessary to assist the pool board in accomplishing this statutory purpose to assure that Washington residents have access to comprehensive individual health insurance coverage.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Discussions with affected individuals and organizations.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kacy Brandeberry, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98505-0255 [98504-0255], phone (360) 664-3784, fax (360) 664-2782, Internet KacyB@oic.wa.gov.
May 13, 1999
Robert A. Harkins
Chief Deputy Commissioner