WSR 97-23-039

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Medical Assistance Administration)

(Public Assistance)

[Filed November 17, 1997, 2:23 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-517-1740 Special low-income Medicare beneficiaries (SLMB)--Income and resources.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Section 4732 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, RCW 74.08.090, and 74-04-050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This proposed amendment is necessary to implement a new federal requirement in the Balanced Budget Act. The amendment will increase the number of people who may be eligible for Medicare cost-sharing.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input on the draft language of this WAC. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the program manager identified below.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Joanie Scotson, Program Manager, Medical Assistance Administration, Mailstop 45530, Olympia, WA 98504-5530, phone (360) 753-7462, FAX (360) 753-7315, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail scotsjk@dshs.wa.gov.

November 14, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager