PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Division of Employment and Assistance Programs will amend WAC 388-450-0200 Will the medical expenses of an elderly or disabled person in my assistance unit be used as an income deduction for Basic Food?
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, and 74.04.510, also HB 2663 (chapter 175, Laws of 2004).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The WAC must be updated to incorporate United States Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) policy requirements regarding how medical expense deductions will be handled for clients with a Medicare prescription drug card.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file proposed rules with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Rebecca Henrie, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 413-3074, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail henrira@dshs.wa.gov.
August 16, 2004
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit