WSR 16-03-063

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed January 19, 2016, 10:51 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-980-140 Home care aide scope of practice, the department of health (DOH) is considering updating the rule on scope of practice to include skills acquisition training.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.88B.021.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: DOH is considering amending WAC 246-980-140 to allow home care aides to provide skills acquisition training to elderly and vulnerable clients to align with recent department of social and health services (DSHS) rule revisions implemented to meet the federal objectives outlined in Washington's formal state plan submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This plan was submitted by DSHS to obtain approval to participate in a medicaid Title XIX entitlement program, the community first choice options program, and receive an enhanced medicaid match rate.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: DSHS will be consulted with on an ongoing basis.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Persons interested in participating in the rule process can contact the Washington state home care aide program through e-mail Homecareaides@doh.wa.gov, fax (360) 236-2901, or Home Care Aide Program, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852. Persons interested in receiving updates can join the Washington state home care aide program listserv http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=HOMECAREAIDES&A=1.

January 19, 2016

John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH

Secretary