WSR 98-01-067

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Medical Assistance Administration)

[Filed December 11, 1997, 4:02 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-521-2160.

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. This amendment will increase the number of people who may be eligible for Medicare cost-sharing.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to review and provide input into the adopted language of this proposed WAC amendment. The department will distribute draft material for an internal and external review process. All comments are taken into consideration before issuance of final rule.

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, Washington 98504-5530, phone (360) 753-7462, FAX (360) 753-7315, TDD 1-800-848-5429, e-mail SCOTSJK@DSHS.WA.GOV.

December 10, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager