Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-453 WAC, Hospital charity care, the department of health (department) is considering revisions to this chapter to implement SHB [SSB] 6273 (chapter 263, Laws of 2018) regarding delineating charity care and notice requirements without restricting charity care.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amending chapter 246-453 WAC, Hospital charity care, to comply with SHB [SSB] 6273 that was enacted by the 2018 Washington state legislature. SHB [SSB] 6273 adds several definitions to RCW 70.170.020 that modify or replace definitions currently in chapter 246-453 WAC. SHB [SSB] 6273 also amends RCW 70.170.060 to create new opportunities for patients to apply for charity care that are not currently addressed in chapter 246-453 WAC. To be compliant with SHB [SSB] 6273 the rules may need to be revised.

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

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Randall Huyck, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, WA 98504-7853, phone 360-236-4210, fax 360-236-2830, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email Randall.Huyck@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Notices will be emailed through GovDelivery (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new) to the program's interested parties list. At the formal proposal stage of rule making, proposed rule language will be posted on the department's rules comments web site for public comment up to the date of the public hearing. Other information may be found at https://www.doh.wa.gov/DataandStatisticalReports/HealthcareinWashington/HospitalandPatientData/HospitalPatientInformationandCharityCare.