PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revision of the existing methodology applied to certificate of need applications for the tertiary health services of open-heart surgery, therapeutic cardiac catheterization and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.38.135 and chapter 59, Laws of 2000.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The certificate of need program uses these rules to guide its decisions on applications pertaining to open-heart and related type services. The legislature has directed the department to revise the existing methodology, taking into consideration changes in standards of practice and promptly adopt it into rule. The effect of a revised rule will be to assure that regulated services will be appropriately available to the population, while assuring that quality of care, cost containment and overall health system viability are maintained.
Process for Developing New Rule: The rule-making process will include at least three meetings as well as multiple opportunities for review and comment of drafts being developed. A representative workgroup that fulfills the requirements of the enacted legislation will assist the department in the revision process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Lorraine Edwards, DOH/HSQA/FSL/Certificate of Need, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 705-6637, (360) 705-6654, e-mail Lorraine.Edwards@doh.wa.gov.
April 4, 2000
M. C. Selecky
Secretary