Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 388-96 WAC and other sections as appropriate to adopt rules regarding ventilator/tracheostomy clients in nursing facilities.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.46.431(9).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Adopt rules regarding ventilator/tracheostomy clients in nursing facilities. Allow the department to establish a methodology for ventilator and tracheostomy payments for nursing facility clients.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     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 Elizabeth Pashley, phone (360) 725-2447, fax (360) 725-2641, TTY (360) 493-2637, e-mail Elizabeth.Pashley@dshs.wa.gov.

January 16, 2013

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator