Subject of Possible Rule Making: New subchapter IV, Medical respite program, under chapter 182-551 WAC, Alternatives to hospital services; other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160; ESSB 5187, 68th legislature, 2023 regular session, section 215(64).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (agency) is proposing to add a new subchapter IV, Medical respite program, under chapter 182-551 WAC, Alternative to hospital services. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional related changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The 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 Valerie Freudenstein, Rule-Making Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1344, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email valerie.freudenstein@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Rob McDonough, Program Questions, 626 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-5135, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email rob.mcdonough@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.