PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The community services division (CSD) is proposing to amend WAC 388-418-0011 What is a mid-certification review (MCR), and do I have to complete one in order to keep receiving benefits?, and other related rules as needed to be consistent with the proposed changes.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.04.510.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to amend these rules to streamline and simplify the MCR process. The proposed changes are necessary to streamline and simplify the MCR process, with the intent of improving customer service and reducing Basic Food payment errors.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) enforces the provisions of the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The department will develop amendments to the Basic Food simplified reporting process including the periodic report (MCR) that comply with federal regulations and include these changes in the state plan for operating the Basic Food program. The department's medicaid purchasing agency (MPA) also regulates MCR procedures for some of its medicaid coverage groups. CSD will make contact with key staff at MPA to coordinate all proposed changes to the MCR procedures and obtain that agency's approval before submitting the proposed changes to RPAU.
Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Robert L. Thibodeau, Program Manager, Basic Food, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45440, Olympia, WA 98504-5440, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 725-4905.
November 17, 2010
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rule[s] Coordinator