Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-533-0400 Maternity care and newborn delivery, 388-533-0500 Planned home births -- Pilot project, and 388-533-0600 Births in birthing centers.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.760, 74.09.770.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: MAA will be making changes to clarify existing policy and will include the following:

•     Removal of references to the medically indigent program;

•     Removal of references to "pilot project" preceding planned home births and establish planned home births as an accepted program;

•     Combining of the births in birthing centers and planned home births into one section;

•     Eliminating reimbursement of prenatal assessment fee; and

•     Clarifying language around antepartum care.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Health will be involved in the drafting and rule review process; and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will review and approve a state plan amendment.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this rule. Draft material and information about how to participate may be obtained from the department representative listed below.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Wendy L. Boedigheimer, Rules Program Manager, Medical Assistance Administration, Rules and Publications Section, P.O. Box 45533, Olympia, WA 98504-5533, phone (360) 725-1306, fax (360) 586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail boediwl@dshs.wa.gov.

July 1, 2004

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

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