Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 182-521-0200 Coverage after the public health emergency (PHE) ends; other related rules as appropriate.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 amended Section 6008 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to change the end date of medicaid continuous coverage from the end date of the PHE to March 31, 2023. The agency filed an emergency rule (WSR 23-08-051), effective April 1, 2023, so that WAC 182-521-0200 conforms to federal law. This rule project will make permanent changes to the rule. During this review, the 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, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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, Rule-Making 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 Mark Westenhaver, Program Questions, P.O. Box 42722, Olympia, WA 98504-2722, phone 360-725-1324, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email mark.westenhaver@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.