WSR 97-23-023

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Medical Assistance Administration)

(Public Assistance)

[Filed November 12, 1997, 4:06 p.m.]

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1997.

Purpose: To extend existing emergency rules regarding interpreter services provided to clients accessing medical care through the Medicaid program.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.025, 74.04.050, 45 CFR Sections 80.1 and 80.3; 45 CFR Section 605.52; 28 CFR part 35.

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: The budget allocated for interpreter services for Medicaid clients was significantly reduced for the 1997-99 biennium. These emergency WACs are necessary to manage available funds to assure limited-English proficient, deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing clients can communicate effectively with medical providers when accessing Medicaid services. This filing will extend the effective period of existing emergency rules because conditions have changed. The Department of Social and Health Services has recently issued contracts to providers, and will study the feasibility of complying with and administering these rules. The department will use the findings of this study, as well as input from ongoing stakeholder meetings, to identify the most efficient and economical ways to achieve this goal.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 5, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 5, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

November 12, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit