WSR 13-20-098

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed October 1, 2013, 8:29 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-918 WAC, Physician assistants—Medical quality assurance commission (MQAC). Revising physician assistant (PA) rules pursuant to SHB 1737 (chapter 203, Laws of 2013) and updating PA rules to incorporate current, national standards and best practices.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.71.017, 18.71A.040, 18.130.050, and chapter 18.71A RCW (SHB 1737, chapter 203, Laws of 2013).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: MQAC is proposing rule making to consider changes related to supervision of PAs in remote sites and changing the term "practice arrangement plan" to "delegation agreement" throughout the rules per SHB 1737 (chapter 203, Laws of 2013). MQAC is also considering amending PA rules to modernize regulations to align with current national industry standards and best practices. The proposed rules revisions are intended to clarify regulatory requirements, be current with national standards of practice, and provide streamlined and aligned processes relevant to initial license applications, license renewals, and delegation agreement approval processes for all PA applicants.

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 with the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery and with statewide organizations representing the interests of physician assistants.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties may participate in the development of draft rules prior to a formal proposal by joining the MQAC listserv, attending workshops, or providing input on draft materials. Interested parties can receive information on how to participate by contacting Julie Kitten, Operations Manager, MQAC, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-2757, fax (360) 236-2795, or by e-mail to julie.kitten@doh.wa.gov.

October 1, 2013

Maryella E. Jansen

Executive Director