WSR 98-22-082

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(Medical Quality Assurance Commission)

[Filed November 3, 1998, 12:50 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Current licensing requirements. These rules would reinstate language that had been inadvertently repealed during a previous rules process. The reinstated language would require physicians, whose licenses have been expired longer than three years, to meet the current requirements for licensure. Each legislative session has the potential of changing requirements for licensure. If a licensee has allowed his or her license to expire for a period of time, it is possible they may no longer meet the current requirements of licensure.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.71.017 and 18.71.080.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Uniform rules were developed for health care practitioner credentialing. The rules included creating new WACs (chapter 246-12 WAC) and changing or repealing existing WACs. After adoption, it was discovered two sections of WAC were inadvertently repealed. These rules would reestablish these sections with the stipulation that licensees who have allowed their licenses to lapse for a period of time must meet the licensure requirements currently in statute.

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 commission will conduct two public workshops (one in the SeaTac area and one in the Spokane area) in order to allow interested persons to participate in the development of language for these rules. Notification of these meetings will be sent to those individuals and organizations who have indicated that they are to be notified of any rule-making process. Those interested parties include the Washington State Medical Association, the University of Washington School of Medicine, all County Medical Societies, and private citizens.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. To submit written information, Susan Anthony, Program Manager, Department of Health, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504-7866, phone (360) 236-4787, fax (360) 586-4573.

October 9, 1998

Bonnie L. King

Executive Director