WSR 98-21-023

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Medical Assistance Administration)

[Filed October 13, 1998, 2:58 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-513-1380 needs to be amended to reflect recent changes in the federal standards for community spouse needs allowance, family needs allowance, and the standard shelter allocation. This rule also needs to be changed to adopt a state plan amendment allowing an increase in the personal needs allowance (PNA) by the amount of income garnisheed for child support.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 72.36.160, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, and 38 USC 3203 (Public Law 101-508).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rule needs to be amended to comply with federal requirements to ensure continued federal financial participation and to reflect policy contained in our Medicaid state plan.

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 Department of Social and Health Services 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 Kevin Sullivan, Program Assistance and Support Services, Medical Assistance Administration, Olympia, WA 98504-5530, phone (360) 664-2314, fax (360) 753-7315, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail sullikm@dshs.wa.gov.

October 13, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit