Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-504-0015 Washington apple health—Certification periods for categorically needy programs, 182-507-0130 Refugee medical assistance; other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is amending WAC 182-504-0015 and 182-507-0130 to expand the eligibility period for refugee medical assistance from eight months to 12 months for persons whose date of eligibility is on or after October 1, 2021. The agency has determined that this rule amendment is necessary to align with the eligibility period set by the director of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. During this review, health care authority may identify additional related changes that are required to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Process for Developing New Rule: The agency welcomes the public to take part in developing this rule. If interested, contact the person identified below to receive an early rule draft to review. After the early review, the agency will send a notice of proposed rule making (CR-102) to everyone receiving this notice and 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 Brian Jensen, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-0815, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email brian.jensen@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Dody McAlpine, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42722, Olympia, WA 98504-2722, phone 360-725-9964, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email dody.mcalpine@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.