WSR 98-15-112
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)
[Filed July 20, 1998, 1:28 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-86-024 Enhanced benefits for pregnant women, describing assessment, counseling, intervention, and referral services for Medicaid women during their pregnancy and for up to 60 days after their pregnancy ends.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.770, 74.09.790, and 74.09.800.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Benefits and client's rights of this program are described in this WAC. Supporting Medicaid clients during and immediately after their pregnancies avoids high medical costs associated with low birth weights and other avoidable medical conditions.
The department does not plan to change policy in this revision. This rewrite is to comply with the Governor's Executive Order 97-02, to make the rule: More readable, shorter, include public input, assure fairness to regulated parties, and identify authorizing statutes.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department of Health (DOH) regulates providers of this benefit. An existing interagency agreement ensures continued coordination between DOH and DSHS.
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 DSHS representative identified below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Allen Richards, Program Assistance and Support Services, Medical Assistance Administration, Olympia, WA 98504-5530, phone (360) 586-1008, fax (360) 753-7315, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail richaa@dshs.wa.gov.
July 17, 1998
Edith M. Rice, Chief
Office of Legal Affairs
for Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit