WSR 26-12-020
EXPEDITED RULES
HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY
[Filed May 22, 2026, 4:22 p.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 182-550-5500 Payments—Hospital-based RHCs.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The health care authority (HCA) is repealing this rule section. This section is not current and is redundant. The current payment methodology for rural health clinics (RHCs) is found in chapter 182-549 WAC.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: HCA, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Blake O'Connor, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-725-1344; Implementation and Enforcement: Abby Cole, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, 360-735-1835.
This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited repeal process for these rules:
The rule is no longer necessary because of changed circumstances.
Other rules of the agency or of another agency govern the same activity as the rule, making the rule redundant.
Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: Current payment methodology for RHCs is found in chapter 182-549 WAC.
NOTICE
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Wendy Barcus, HCA Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1306, fax 360-586-9727, email arc@hca.wa.gov, BEGINNING May 26, 2026, 8:00 a.m., AND RECEIVED BY August 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
May 22, 2026
Wendy Barcus
Rules Coordinator
RDS-7217.1
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 182-550-5500 | Payment—Hospital-based RHCs. |