PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-310-XXX, creating new section to establish rules for hospital acute care bed methodology.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.38.135, 43.70.040.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Currently, the certificate of need (CoN) program uses the state health plan (SHP) of 1987 to provide guidance in determining the acute care bed need for hospitals. The SHP method has never been adopted into rule. Some parts of this method may no longer reflect current best practices. Updating and adopting an acute care bed need method into rule will: (1) Reflect best practices, (2) provide clear guidance for applicants and reviewers alike, and (3) ensure consistency, predictability, and fairness in CoN decisions.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting John Hilger, Rules Coordinator, Health Professions and Facilities, 310 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501-7852, e-mail john.hilger@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-2929, fax (360) 236-2901. The department will notify all licensees and organizations who have expressed an interest in rule-making activities. Interested parties may also submit written comments for consideration.
August 4, 2009
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary