WSR 98-18-071

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed August 31, 1998, 4:33 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Community based recruitment and retention (CBRR) projects, rural health system development (RHSD) projects, WAC 246-560-001 - 246-560-100.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.185.040 "The department shall adopt rules ..." (to carry out CBRR projects) and RCW 70.185.030 "... the secretary shall coordinate ... with the Washington rural health system project as authorized under chapter 70.175 RCW to consolidate administrative duties and reduce costs."

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: We expect funding to be available in the next biennium to carry out CBRR projects. Rules will allow public clarity on guidelines for applying for funds. Adopting RHSD rules to CBRR projects will allow us to respond to existing thoughtful feedback on how RHSD application process could be more timely and more flexible.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Implement an orderly public process for applying for funds.

Process for Developing New Rule: Draft rules that respond to current feedback on the application process will be circulated to our mailing list of current and prior applicants, and to our rural health partners for comment.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Alice James or Lorraine Edwards, Office of Community and Rural Health, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47834, Olympia, WA 98504-7834, (360) 705-6770, fax (360) 664-9273, e-mail crhmail@doh.wa.gov.

August 28, 1998

Kristine Van Gorkom

Deputy Secretary