Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330(3), you are hereby notified for
publication in the Washington State Register that:
On April 28, 2006, the Governor received an appeal from Dr. Paul Powers relating to the Department of Health's denial of a petition to amend WAC 246-808-150. On June 12, 2006, Petitioner agreed to an extension of the response deadline. The Governor denied Dr. Powers' Petition on July 5, 2006.
DATE: July 6, 2006
Richard E. Mitchell
General Counsel to the Governor
July 5, 2006Paul Powers, DC
Post Office Box 15
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
RE: Rule Making Appeal under RCW 34.05.330(3)
Amendment to WAC 246-808-150 - Continuing Education
Dear Dr. Powers:
This letter is in response to your above-noted petition to
amend the Washington Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission
(Commission) rule codified at WAC 246-808-150, concerning
approved continuing education. Specifically, your petition
requests an amendment to a November 2005 rule that limits the
number of hours on-line that chiropractors may take for
continuing education to twelve of the twenty-five hours
required. After reviewing your petition and the Commission's
response, I concur with the Commission's decision and am
therefore denying your petition at this time.
I recognize that on-line, distance-based learning provides
value and is increasingly incorporated at institutions of
higher education. I further recognize that on-line continuing
education for providers, including chiropractors, can provide
a flexible, cost-effective alternative to in-person training
programs.
The majority of Washington State's health profession boards
and commissions, as well as chiropractic boards around the
country, have instituted similar rules to balance hands-on and
distance-based learning for health care providers. I believe
that the Commission's rule limiting on-line instruction to
twelve hours is reasonable, ensures this balance, and is based
on their expertise of the field.
Therefore, while I am denying your petition, I am asking the
Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission to review the rule
in a year to determine whether there have been on-line
learning advancements that address the Commission's concerns
adequately.
I appreciate the services chiropractors provide to Washington
residents and thank you for the time and care you have taken
in bringing your concerns to my attention.
Sincerely,
Christine O. Gregoire
Governor
cc: Mary Selecky, Secretary, Department of Health
Christina Hulet, Policy Advisor, Governor's Office
Mark Rupp, Policy Advisor, Governor's Office
June 12, 2006
Paul Powers, DC
Post Office Box 15
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
RE: Rule Making Appeal under RCW 34.05.330(3)
Amendment to WAC 246-808-150 - Continuing Education
Dear Dr. Powers:
This letter is to confirm our telephone conversation of
Monday, June 12, 2006, in which you agreed to extend the
deadline for response to your April 28, 2006, appeal. The new
deadline for response is Friday, June 30.
Thank you for your flexibility in this matter.
Sincerely,
Melynda Campbell
Legal Affairs Coordinator
cc: Tim Fitzsimmons, Chief of Staff, Governor's Office
Richard Mitchell, General Counsel, Governor's Office
Christina Hulet, Policy Advisor, Governor's Office