PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Establishing a health technology assessment program to select health technologies that will undergo a scientific review by a contracted evidence based practice center; and establishing a health technology clinical committee that will use the review to make coverage decisions for state agencies that purchase health care.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.05.013, 41.05.160, and 70.14.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The 2006 legislature enacted E2SHB 2575 (chapter 307, Laws of 2006), creating new sections in chapter 70.14 RCW (RCW 70.14.080 - 70.14.140) and amending RCW 41.05.013. This legislation requires the health care authority (HCA) to establish a new health technology assessment program and a health technology clinical committee. The agency must therefore adopt rules governing their operation.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other federal or state agency regulates the administration of this new program or the new clinical committee. However, the HCA has a process to consult with the other agencies that purchase health care that will be impacted by the clinical committee coverage decisions. (e.g. department of social and health services, department of labor and industries, department of corrections, department of veterans affairs.)
Process for Developing New Rule: Stakeholder mailings and public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Leah Hole-Curry, HTA Director, 676 Woodland Square Loop S.E., P.O. Box 42712, Olympia, WA 98504-2712, voice (360) 923-2748, fax (360) 923-2766, leah.hole-curry@hca.wa.gov. Information will be posed on the agency web site http://www.hca.wa.gov/laws/.
August 1, 2006
Beth Dupre
Rules Coordinator