Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.021, 41.05.160; and ESHB 1508, section 2 (2)(a), chapter 80, Laws of 2024.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The health care authority (agency) is amending this rule to add language about data sharing between the drug price transparency program, the prescription drug affordability board, and the health care cost transparency board to align with ESHB 1508, section 2 (2)(a), chapter 80, Laws of 2024. 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 Melinda Froud, Rule-Making Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1408, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email melinda.froud@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Julie Colacurcio, Program Questions, P.O. Box 45502, phone 360-725-9585, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email julie.colacurcio@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.