PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Medical Quality Assurance Commission)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-919 WAC (physicians) and chapter 246-918 WAC (physician assistants). The medical quality assurance commission (MQAC) is considering amending chapter 246-919 WAC to repeal existing pain management sections, and to adopt new section(s) in chapters 246-919 and 246-918 WAC for management of chronic, noncancer pain.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Amending chapter 18.71 RCW (physicians) and chapter 18.71A RCW (physician assistants).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESHB 2876 (chapter 209, Laws of 2010) directs the MQAC to repeal existing pain management sections, and adopt new section(s) for management of chronic, noncancer pain. The rules must include dosing criteria, guidance on when to seek consultations with pain management specialists, tracking clinical progress, and tracking the use of opioids.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None known.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Julie Kitten, Program Manager, Department of Health, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-2757. Stakeholders will be notified and invited to participate in open public workshops and may submit written comments for consideration. Stakeholders will be notified through profession and pain management listserv mailings, commission meetings, pain management workgroup meetings, and postings to web sites.
June 16, 2010
Julie Kitten
Program Manager