PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-310-262 Nonemergent interventional cardiology standards.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 70.38 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: SHB 2304 was passed by the legislature in 2007 requiring the department of health to adopt rules establishing criteria for the issuance of a certificate of need under this chapter for the performance of elective percutaneous coronary interventions at hospitals that do not otherwise provide on-site cardiac surgery. 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.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: The rule-making process will include at least three rule-making meetings as well as multiple opportunities for review and comment of drafts being developed. Rules will be consistent with recommendations of a legislatively required independent, evidence-based review of the circumstances under which elective percutaneous coronary interventions should be allowed in Washington in hospitals that do not otherwise provide on-site cardiac surgery.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Yvette Fox, Facilities and Services Licensing, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 236-2928, fax (360) 236-2901, yvette.fox@doh.wa.gov.
August 21, 2007
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary