WSR 98-18-057

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Medical Assistance Administration)

[Filed August 31, 1998, 10:30 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-550-5550 Public notice for hospital Medicaid rate changes.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: The Federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1396a (a)(13)(A). RCW 70.01.010, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.500.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To comply with federal mandates to establish public notice process, and so avoid the risk of losing federal financial participation (FFP).

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

Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this WAC. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the Department of Social and Health Services representative identified below.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ann Myers, Program Assistance and Support Services, Medical Assistance Administration, Olympia, Washington 98504-5530, phone (360) 586-2337, fax (360) 753-7315, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail myersea@dshs.wa.gov.

August 31, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit