reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.100 - Regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils.

RCW 70.168.100
Regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils.
Regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils are established. The councils:
(1) By June 1990, shall begin the development of regional emergency medical services and trauma care plans to:
(a) Assess and analyze regional emergency medical services and trauma care needs;
(b) Identify personnel, agencies, facilities, equipment, training, and education to meet regional and local needs;
(c) Identify specific activities necessary to meet statewide standards and patient care outcomes and develop a plan of implementation for regional compliance;
(d) Establish and review agreements with regional providers necessary to meet state standards;
(e) Establish agreements with providers outside the region to facilitate patient transfer;
(f) Include a regional budget;
(g) Establish the number and level of facilities to be designated which are consistent with state standards and based upon availability of resources and the distribution of trauma within the region;
(h) Identify the need for and recommend distribution and level of care of prehospital services to assure adequate availability and avoid inefficient duplication and lack of coordination of prehospital services within the region;
(i) Identify procedures to allow for the appropriate transport of patients to mental health facilities or chemical dependency programs, as informed by the alternative facility guidelines adopted under RCW 70.168.170; and
(j) Include other specific elements defined by the department;
(2) By June 1991, shall begin the submission of the regional emergency medical services and trauma care plan to the department;
(3) Shall advise the department on matters relating to the delivery of emergency medical services and trauma care within the region;
(4) Shall provide data required by the department to assess the effectiveness of the emergency medical services and trauma care system;
(5) May apply for, receive, and accept gifts and other payments, including property and service, from any governmental or other public or private entity or person, and may make arrangements as to the use of these receipts, including any activities related to the design, maintenance, or enhancements of the emergency medical services and trauma care system in the region. The councils shall report in the regional budget the amount, source, and purpose of all gifts and payments.
[ 2015 c 157 § 3; 1990 c 269 § 13.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.110 - Planning and service regions.

RCW 70.168.110
Planning and service regions.
The department shall designate at least eight emergency medical services and trauma care planning and service regions so that all parts of the state are within such an area. These regional designations are to be made on the basis of efficiency of delivery of needed emergency medical services and trauma care.
[ 1990 c 269 § 14; 1987 c 214 § 4; 1973 1st ex.s. c 208 § 6. Formerly RCW 18.73.060.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.120 - Local and regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils—Power and duties.

RCW 70.168.120
Local and regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils—Power and duties.
(1) A county or group of counties may create a local emergency medical services and trauma care council composed of representatives of hospital and prehospital trauma care and emergency medical services providers, local elected officials, consumers, local law enforcement officials, and local government agencies involved in the delivery of emergency medical services and trauma care.
(2) The department shall establish regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils and shall appoint members to be comprised of a balance of hospital and prehospital trauma care and emergency medical services providers, local elected officials, consumers, local law enforcement representatives, and local government agencies involved in the delivery of trauma care and emergency medical services recommended by the local emergency medical services and trauma care councils within the region.
(3) Local emergency medical services and trauma care councils shall review, evaluate, and provide recommendations to the regional emergency medical services and trauma care council regarding the provision of emergency medical services and trauma care in the region, and provide recommendations to the regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils on the plan for emergency medical services and trauma care.
[ 1990 c 269 § 15; 1987 c 214 § 6; 1983 c 112 § 8. Formerly RCW 18.73.073.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.130 - Disbursement of funds to regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils—Grants to nonprofit agencies—Purposes.

RCW 70.168.130
Disbursement of funds to regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils—Grants to nonprofit agencies—Purposes.
(1) The department, with the assistance of the emergency medical services and trauma care steering committee, shall adopt a program for the disbursement of funds for the development, implementation, and enhancement of the emergency medical services and trauma care system. Under the program, the department shall disburse funds to each emergency medical services and trauma care regional council, or their chosen fiscal agent or agents, which shall be city or county governments, stipulating the purpose for which the funds shall be expended. The regional emergency medical services and trauma care council shall use such funds to make available matching grants in an amount not to exceed fifty percent of the cost of the proposal for which the grant is made; provided, the department may waive or modify the matching requirement if it determines insufficient local funding exists and the public health and safety would be jeopardized if the proposal were not funded. Grants shall be made to any public or private nonprofit agency which, in the judgment of the regional emergency medical services and trauma care council, will best fulfill the purpose of the grant.
(2) Grants may be awarded for any of the following purposes:
(a) Establishment and initial development of an emergency medical services and trauma care system;
(b) Expansion and improvement of an emergency medical services and trauma care system;
(c) Purchase of equipment for the operation of an emergency medical services and trauma care system;
(d) Training and continuing education of emergency medical and trauma care personnel; and
(e) Department approved research and development activities pertaining to emergency medical services and trauma care.
(3) Any emergency medical services agency or trauma care provider which receives a grant shall stipulate that it will:
(a) Operate in accordance with applicable provisions and standards required under this chapter;
(b) Provide, without prior inquiry as to ability to pay, emergency medical and trauma care to all patients requiring such care; and
(c) Be consistent with applicable provisions of the regional emergency medical services and trauma care plan and the statewide emergency medical services and trauma care system plan.
[ 1990 c 269 § 16; 1987 c 214 § 8; 1979 ex.s. c 261 § 8. Formerly RCW 18.73.085.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.135 - Grant program for designated trauma care services—Rules.

RCW 70.168.135
Grant program for designated trauma care services—Rules.
The department shall establish by rule a grant program for designated trauma care services. The grants shall be made from the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account and shall require regional matching funds. The trust account funds and regional match shall be in a seventy-five to twenty-five percent ratio.
[ 1997 c 331 § 1.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1997 c 331: "Sections 1 through 8 of this act take effect January 1, 1998." [ 1997 c 331 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.140 - Prehospital provider liability.

RCW 70.168.140
Prehospital provider liability.
(1) No act or omission of any prehospital provider done or omitted in good faith while rendering emergency medical services in accordance with the approved regional plan shall impose any liability upon that provider.
(2) This section does not apply to the commission or omission of an act which is not within the field of the medical expertise of the provider.
(3) This section does not relieve a provider of any duty otherwise imposed by law.
(4) This section does not apply to any act or omission which constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
(5) This section applies in addition to provisions already established in RCW 18.71.210.
[ 1990 c 269 § 26.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.150 - Emergency cardiac and stroke care system—Voluntary hospital participation.

RCW 70.168.150
Emergency cardiac and stroke care system—Voluntary hospital participation.
(1) By January 1, 2011, the department shall endeavor to enhance and support an emergency cardiac and stroke care system through:
(a) Encouraging hospitals to voluntarily self-identify cardiac and stroke capabilities, indicating which level of cardiac and stroke service the facility provides. Hospital levels must be defined by the previous work of the emergency cardiac and stroke technical advisory committee and must follow the guiding principles and recommendations of the emergency cardiac and stroke work group report;
(b) Giving a hospital "deemed status" and designating it as a primary stroke center if it has received a certification of distinction for primary stroke centers issued by the nonprofit organization known as the joint commission. When available, a hospital shall demonstrate its cardiac or stroke level through external, national certifying organizations, including, but not limited to, primary stroke center certification by the joint commission; and
(c) Within the current authority of the department, adopting cardiac and stroke prehospital patient care protocols, patient care procedures, and triage tools, consistent with the guiding principles and recommendations of the emergency cardiac and stroke work group report.
(2) A hospital that voluntarily participates in the system:
(a) Shall participate in internal, as well as regional, quality improvement activities;
(b) Shall participate in a national, state, or local data collection system that measures cardiac and stroke system performance from patient onset of symptoms to treatment or intervention, and includes, at a minimum, the nationally recognized consensus measures for stroke; and
(c) May advertise participation in the system, but may not claim a verified certification level unless verified by an external, nationally recognized, evidence-based certifying body as provided in subsection (1)(b) of this section.
[ 2010 c 52 § 3.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2010 c 52: See note following RCW 70.168.015.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.160 - Report to the legislature.

RCW 70.168.160
Report to the legislature.
By December 1, 2012, the department shall share with the legislature the department's report, which was funded by the centers for disease control and prevention, concerning emergency cardiac and stroke care.
[ 2010 c 52 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2010 c 52: See note following RCW 70.168.015.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.168 - Statewide Trauma Care System. › 70.168.170 - Ambulance services—Work group—Patient transportation—Mental health or chemical dependency services.

RCW 70.168.170
Ambulance services—Work group—Patient transportation—Mental health or chemical dependency services.
(1) The department, in consultation with the department of social and health services, shall convene a work group comprised of members of the steering committee and representatives of ambulance services, firefighters, mental health providers, and chemical dependency treatment programs. The work group shall establish alternative facility guidelines for the development of protocols, procedures, and applicable training appropriate to the level of emergency medical service provider for the appropriate transport of patients in need of immediate mental health or chemical dependency services.
(2) The alternative facility guidelines shall consider when transport to a mental health facility or chemical dependency treatment program is necessary as determined by:
(a) The presence of a medical emergency that requires immediate medical care;
(b) The severity of the mental health or substance use disorder needs of the patient;
(c) The training of emergency medical service personnel to respond to a patient experiencing emergency mental health or substance use disorders; and
(d) The risk the patient presents to the patient's self, the public, and the emergency medical service personnel.
(3) By July 1, 2016, the department shall make the guidelines available to all regional emergency medical services and trauma care councils for incorporation into regional emergency medical services and trauma care plans under RCW 70.168.100.
[ 2015 c 157 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.010 - Intent.

RCW 70.170.010
Intent.
(1) The legislature finds and declares that there is a need for health care information that helps the general public understand health care issues and how they can be better consumers and that is useful to purchasers, payers, and providers in making health care choices and negotiating payments. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to establish a hospital data collection, storage, and retrieval system which supports these data needs and which also provides public officials and others engaged in the development of state health policy the information necessary for the analysis of health care issues.
(2) The legislature finds that rising health care costs and access to health care services are of vital concern to the people of this state. It is, therefore, essential that strategies be explored that moderate health care costs and promote access to health care services.
(3) The legislature further finds that access to health care is among the state's goals and the provision of such care should be among the purposes of health care providers and facilities. Therefore, the legislature intends that charity care requirements and related enforcement provisions for hospitals be explicitly established.
(4) The lack of reliable statistical information about the delivery of charity care is a particular concern that should be addressed. It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to require hospitals to provide, and report to the state, charity care to persons with acute care needs, and to have a state agency both monitor and report on the relative commitment of hospitals to the delivery of charity care services, as well as the relative commitment of public and private purchasers or payers to charity care funding.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 501.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.020 - Definitions.

RCW 70.170.020
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Department" means department of health.
(2) "Hospital" means any health care institution which is required to qualify for a license under RCW 70.41.020(8); or as a psychiatric hospital under chapter 71.12 RCW.
(3) "Secretary" means secretary of health.
(4) "Charity care" means medically necessary hospital health care rendered to indigent persons when third-party coverage, if any, has been exhausted, to the extent that the persons are unable to pay for the care or to pay deductibles or coinsurance amounts required by a third-party payer, as determined by the department.
(5) "Indigent persons" are those patients or their guarantors who qualify for charity care pursuant to RCW 70.170.060(5) based on the federal poverty level, adjusted for family size, and who have exhausted any third-party coverage.
(6) "Third-party coverage" means an obligation on the part of an insurance company, health care service contractor, health maintenance organization, group health plan, government program, tribal health benefits, or health care sharing ministry as defined in 26 U.S.C. Sec. 5000A to pay for the care of covered patients and services, and may include settlements, judgments, or awards actually received related to the negligent acts of others which have resulted in the medical condition for which the patient has received hospital health care service. The pendency of such settlements, judgments, or awards must not stay hospital obligations to consider an eligible patient for charity care.
(7) "Special studies" means studies which have not been funded through the department's biennial or other legislative appropriations.
[ 2022 c 197 § 1; 2018 c 263 § 1; 1995 c 269 § 2203; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 502.]
NOTES:
Application—2022 c 197: "This act applies prospectively only to care provided on or after July 1, 2022. This act does not affect the ability of a patient who received care prior to July 1, 2022, to receive charity care under RCW 70.170.020 and 70.170.060 as the sections existed before that date." [ 2022 c 197 § 4.]
Effective date—2018 c 263: "This act takes effect October 1, 2018." [ 2018 c 263 § 3.]
Effective date—Part headings not law—Severability—1995 c 269: See notes following RCW 18.16.050.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.050 - Requested studies—Costs.

RCW 70.170.050
Requested studies—Costs.
The department shall have the authority to respond to requests of others for special studies or analysis. The department may require such sponsors to pay any or all of the reasonable costs associated with such requests that might be approved, but in no event may costs directly associated with any such special study be charged against the funds generated by the assessment authorized under RCW 70.170.080.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 505.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.070 - Penalties.

RCW 70.170.070
Penalties.
(1) Every person who shall violate or knowingly aid and abet the violation of RCW * 70.170.060 (5) or (6), 70.170.080, or ** 70.170.100, or any valid orders or rules adopted pursuant to these sections, or who fails to perform any act which it is herein made his or her duty to perform, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Following official notice to the accused by the department of the existence of an alleged violation, each day of noncompliance upon which a violation occurs shall constitute a separate violation. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter may be enjoined from continuing such violation. The department has authority to levy civil penalties not exceeding one thousand dollars for violations of this chapter and determined pursuant to this section.
(2) Every person who shall violate or knowingly aid and abet the violation of RCW 70.170.060 (1) or (2), or any valid orders or rules adopted pursuant to such section, or who fails to perform any act which it is herein made his or her duty to perform, shall be subject to the following criminal and civil penalties:
(a) For any initial violations: The violating person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the department may impose a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars as determined pursuant to this section.
(b) For a subsequent violation of RCW 70.170.060 (1) or (2) within five years following a conviction: The violating person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the department may impose a penalty not to exceed three thousand dollars as determined pursuant to this section.
(c) For a subsequent violation with intent to violate RCW 70.170.060 (1) or (2) within five years following a conviction: The criminal and civil penalties enumerated in (a) of this subsection; plus up to a three-year prohibition against the issuance of tax exempt bonds under the authority of the Washington health care facilities authority; and up to a three-year prohibition from applying for and receiving a certificate of need.
(d) For a violation of RCW 70.170.060 (1) or (2) within five years of a conviction under (c) of this subsection: The criminal and civil penalties and prohibition enumerated in (a) and (b) of this subsection; plus up to a one-year prohibition from participation in the state medical assistance or medical care services authorized under chapter 74.09 RCW.
(3) The provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW shall apply to all noncriminal actions undertaken by the department of health, the department of social and health services, and the Washington health care facilities authority pursuant to chapter 9, Laws of 1989 1st ex. sess.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 507.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 70.170.060 was amended by 2018 c 263 § 2, changing subsection (6) to subsection (10), effective October 1, 2018.
**(2) RCW 70.170.100 was repealed by 1995 c 265 § 27 and by 1995 c 267 § 12, effective July 1, 1995.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.080 - Assessments—Costs.

RCW 70.170.080
Assessments—Costs.
The basic expenses for the hospital data collection and reporting activities of this chapter shall be financed by an assessment against hospitals of no more than four one-hundredths of one percent of each hospital's gross operating costs, to be levied and collected from and after that date, upon which the similar assessment levied under *chapter 70.39 RCW is terminated, for the provision of hospital services for its last fiscal year ending on or before June 30th of the preceding calendar year. Budgetary requirements in excess of that limit must be financed by a general fund appropriation by the legislature. All moneys collected under this section shall be deposited by the state treasurer in the hospital data collection account which is hereby created in the state treasury. The department may also charge, receive, and dispense funds or authorize any contractor or outside sponsor to charge for and reimburse the costs associated with special studies as specified in RCW 70.170.050.
During the 1993-1995 fiscal biennium, moneys in the hospital data collection account may be expended, pursuant to appropriation, for hospital data analysis and the administration of the health information program.
Any amounts raised by the collection of assessments from hospitals provided for in this section which are not required to meet appropriations in the budget act for the current fiscal year shall be available to the department in succeeding years.
[ 1993 sp.s. c 24 § 925; 1991 sp.s. c 13 § 71; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 508.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: Chapter 70.39 RCW was repealed by 1982 c 223 § 10, effective June 30, 1990.
Severability—Effective dates—1993 sp.s. c 24: See notes following RCW 28A.310.020.
Effective dates—Severability—1991 sp.s. c 13: See notes following RCW 18.08.240.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.090 - Confidentiality.

RCW 70.170.090
Confidentiality.
The department and any of its contractors or agents shall maintain the confidentiality of any information which may, in any manner, identify individual patients.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 509.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.170 - Health Data and Charity Care. › 70.170.150 - Enrollment study—Report to legislature.

RCW 70.170.150
Enrollment study—Report to legislature. (Expires January 1, 2027.)
(1) The office of the insurance commissioner, in consultation with the Washington health benefit exchange, shall study and analyze how increasing eligibility for charity care impacts enrollment in health plans with high deductibles over a four-year time period.
(2) By November 1, 2026, the office of the insurance commissioner shall report to the health care committees of the legislature enrollment trends in health plans with high deductibles from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026. The one-time report shall include the number of individuals enrolled in high deductible plans for each year and by each county.
(3) This section expires January 1, 2027.
[ 2022 c 197 § 3.]
NOTES:
Application—2022 c 197: See note following RCW 70.170.020.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.020 - Definitions.

RCW 70.175.020
Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Administrative structure" means a system of contracts or formal agreements between organizations and persons providing health services in an area that establishes the roles and responsibilities each will assume in providing the services of the rural health care facility.
(2) "Department" means the department of health.
(3) "Health care delivery system" means services and personnel involved in providing health care to a population in a geographic area.
(4) "Health care facility" means any land, structure, system, machinery, equipment, or other real or personal property or appurtenances useful for or associated with delivery of inpatient or outpatient health care service or support for such care or any combination thereof which is operated or undertaken in connection with a hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, diagnostic or treatment center, extended care facility, or any facility providing or designed to provide therapeutic, convalescent or preventive health care services.
(5) "Health care system strategic plan" means a plan developed by the participant and includes identification of health care service needs of the participant, services and personnel necessary to meet health care service needs, identification of health status outcomes and outcome measures, identification of funding sources, and strategies to meet health care needs including measures of effectiveness.
(6) "Institutions of higher education" means educational institutions as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.
(7) "Local administrator" means an individual or organization representing the participant who may enter into legal agreements on behalf of the participant.
(8) "Participant" means communities, counties, and regions that serve as a health care catchment area where the project site is located.
(9) "Project" means the Washington rural health system project.
(10) "Project site" means a site selected to participate in the project.
(11) "Rural health care facility" means a facility, group, or other formal organization or arrangement of facilities, equipment, and personnel capable of providing or assuring availability of health services in a rural area. The services to be provided by the rural health care facility may be delivered in a single location or may be geographically dispersed in the community health service catchment area so long as they are organized under a common administrative structure or through a mechanism that provides appropriate referral, treatment, and follow-up.
(12) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 702.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.030 - Project established—Implementation.

RCW 70.175.030
Project established—Implementation.
(1) The department shall establish the Washington rural health system project to provide financial and technical assistance to participants. The goal of the project is to help assure access to affordable health care services to citizens in the rural areas of Washington state.
(2) Administrative costs necessary to implement this project shall be kept at a minimum to insure the maximum availability of funds for participants.
(3) The secretary may contract with third parties for services necessary to carry out activities to implement this chapter where this will promote economy, avoid duplication of effort, and make the best use of available expertise.
(4) The secretary may apply for, receive, and accept gifts and other payments, including property and service, from any governmental or other public or private entity or person, and may make arrangements as to the use of these receipts, including the undertaking of special studies and other projects related to the delivery of health care in rural areas.
(5) In designing and implementing the project the secretary shall consider the report of the Washington rural health care commission established under chapter 207, Laws of 1988. Nothing in this chapter requires the secretary to follow any specific recommendation contained in that report except as it may also be included in this chapter.
[ 1994 sp.s. c 9 § 806; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 703.]
NOTES:
Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.040 - Rules.

RCW 70.175.040
Rules.
The department shall adopt rules consistent with this chapter to carry out the purpose of this chapter. All rules shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. All rules and procedures adopted by the department shall minimize paperwork and compliance requirements for participants and should not be complex in nature so as to serve as a barrier or disincentive for prospective participants applying for the project.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 704.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.060 - Duties and responsibilities of participating communities.

RCW 70.175.060
Duties and responsibilities of participating communities.
The duties and responsibilities of participating communities shall include:
(1) To involve major health care providers, businesses, public officials, and other community leaders in project design, administration, and oversight;
(2) To identify an individual or organization to serve as the local administrator of the project. The secretary may require the local administrator to maintain acceptable accountability of seed grant funding;
(3) To coordinate and avoid duplication of public health and other health care services;
(4) To assess and analyze community health care needs;
(5) To identify services and providers necessary to meet needs;
(6) To develop outcome measures to assess the long-term effectiveness of modifications initiated through the project;
(7) To write a health care delivery system strategic plan including to the extent possible, identification of outcome measures needed to achieve health status outcomes identified in the plan. New organizational structures created should integrate existing programs and activities of local health providers so as to maximize the efficient planning and delivery of health care by local providers and promote more accessible and affordable health care services to rural citizens. Participants should create health care delivery system strategic plans which promote health care services which the participant can financially sustain;
(8) To screen and contract with consultants for technical assistance if the project site was selected to receive funding and assistance is needed;
(9) To monitor and evaluate the project in an ongoing manner;
(10) To implement necessary changes as defined in the plans such as converting existing facilities, developing or modifying services, recruiting providers, or obtaining agreements with other communities to provide some or all health care services; and
(11) To provide data and comply with other requirements of the administrator that are intended to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 706.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.070 - Cooperation of state agencies.

RCW 70.175.070
Cooperation of state agencies.
(1) The secretary may call upon other agencies of the state to provide available information to assist the secretary in meeting the responsibilities under this chapter. This information shall be supplied as promptly as circumstances permit.
(2) The secretary may call upon other state agencies including institutions of higher education as authorized under Title 28B RCW to identify and coordinate the delivery of technical assistance services to participants in meeting the responsibilities of this chapter. The state agencies and institutions of higher education shall cooperate and provide technical assistance to the secretary to the extent that current funding for these agencies and institutions of higher education permits.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 707.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.080 - Powers and duties of secretary—Contracting.

RCW 70.175.080
Powers and duties of secretary—Contracting.
In addition to the powers and duties specified in RCW 70.175.050 the secretary has the power to enter into contracts for the following functions and services:
(1) With public or private agencies, to assist the secretary in the secretary's duties to design or revise the health status outcomes, or to monitor or evaluate the performance of participants.
(2) With public or private agencies, to provide technical or professional assistance to project participants.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 708.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.090 - Participants authorized to contract—Penalty—Secretary and state exempt from liability.

RCW 70.175.090
Participants authorized to contract—Penalty—Secretary and state exempt from liability.
(1) Participants are authorized to use funding granted to them by the secretary for the purpose of contracting for technical assistance services. Participants shall use only consultants identified by the secretary for consulting services unless the participant can show that an alternative consultant is qualified to provide technical assistance and is approved by the secretary. Adequate records shall be kept by the participant showing project site expenditures from grant moneys. Inappropriate use of grant funding shall be a gross misdemeanor.
(2) In providing a list of qualified consultants the secretary and the state shall not be held responsible for assuring qualifications of consultants and shall be held harmless for the actions of consultants. Furthermore, the secretary and the state shall not be held liable for the failure of participants to meet contractual obligations established in connection with project participation.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 709.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.100 - Licensure—Rules.

RCW 70.175.100
Licensure—Rules.
(1) The department shall establish and adopt such standards and rules pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and operation of a rural health care facility and the scope of health care services, and rescind, amend, or modify the rules from time to time as necessary in the public interest. In developing the rules, the department shall consult with representatives of rural hospitals, community mental health centers, public health departments, community and migrant health clinics, and other providers of health care in rural communities. The department shall also consult with third-party payers, consumers, local officials, and others to ensure broad participation in defining regulatory standards and requirements that are appropriate for a rural health care facility.
(2) When developing the rural health care facility licensure rules, the department shall consider the report of the Washington rural health care commission established under chapter 207, Laws of 1988. Nothing in this chapter requires the department to follow any specific recommendation contained in that report except as it may also be included in this chapter.
(3) Upon developing rules, the department shall enter into negotiations with appropriate federal officials to seek medicare approval of the facility and financial participation of medicare and other federal programs in developing and operating the rural health care facility.
[ 1998 c 245 § 119; 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 710.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.110 - Licensure—Rules—Duties of department.

RCW 70.175.110
Licensure—Rules—Duties of department.
In developing the rural health care facility licensure regulations, the department shall:
(1) Minimize regulatory requirements to permit local flexibility and innovation in providing services;
(2) Promote the cost-efficient delivery of health care and other social services as is appropriate for the particular local community;
(3) Promote the delivery of services in a coordinated and nonduplicative manner;
(4) Maximize the use of existing health care facilities in the community;
(5) Permit regionalization of health care services when appropriate;
(6) Provide for linkages with hospitals, tertiary care centers, and other health care facilities to provide services not available in the facility; and
(7) Achieve health care outcomes defined by the community through a community planning process.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 711.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.120 - Rural health care facility not a hospital.

RCW 70.175.120
Rural health care facility not a hospital.
The rural health care facility is not considered a hospital for building occupancy purposes.
[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 712.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.130 - Rural health care plan.

RCW 70.175.130
Rural health care plan.
The department may develop and implement a rural health care plan and may approve hospital and rural health care facility requests to be designated as essential access community hospitals or rural primary care hospitals so that such facilities may form rural health networks to preserve health care services in rural areas and thereby be eligible for federal program funding and enhanced medicare reimbursement. The department may monitor any rural health care plan and designated facilities to assure continued compliance with the rural health care plan.
[ 1992 c 27 § 4; 1990 c 271 § 18.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.175 - Rural Health System Project. › 70.175.140 - Consultative advice for licensees or applicants.

RCW 70.175.140
Consultative advice for licensees or applicants.
Any licensee or applicant desiring to make alterations or additions to its facilities or to construct new facilities may contact the department for consultative advice before commencing such alteration, addition, or new construction.
[ 1992 c 27 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.005 - Finding—Health care professionals.

RCW 70.180.005
Finding—Health care professionals.
The legislature finds that a health care access problem exists in rural areas of the state because rural health care providers are unable to leave the community for short-term periods of time to attend required continuing education training or for personal matters because their absence would leave the community without adequate medical care coverage. The lack of adequate medical coverage in geographically remote rural communities constitutes a threat to the health and safety of the people in those communities.
The legislature declares that it is in the public interest to recruit and maintain a pool of physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, and advanced registered nurse practitioners willing and able on short notice to practice in rural communities on a short-term basis to meet the medical needs of the community.
[ 1991 c 332 § 27; 1990 c 271 § 1.]
NOTES:
Application to scope of practice—Captions not law—1991 c 332: See notes following RCW 18.130.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.009 - Finding—Rural training opportunities.

RCW 70.180.009
Finding—Rural training opportunities.
The legislature finds that a shortage of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and physician assistants exists in rural areas of the state. In addition, many education programs to train these health care providers do not include options for practical training experience in rural settings. As a result, many health care providers find their current training does not prepare them for the unique demands of rural practice.
The legislature declares that the availability of rural training opportunities as a part of professional medical, nursing, pharmacist, and physician assistant education would provide needed practical experience, serve to attract providers to rural areas, and help address the current shortage of these providers in rural Washington.
[ 1990 c 271 § 14.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.011 - Definitions.

RCW 70.180.011
Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Department" means the department of health.
(2) "Rural areas" means a rural area in the state of Washington as identified by the department.
[ 1991 c 332 § 29.]
NOTES:
Application to scope of practice—Captions not law—1991 c 332: See notes following RCW 18.130.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.020 - Health professional temporary substitute resource pool.

RCW 70.180.020
Health professional temporary substitute resource pool.
The department shall establish or contract for a health professional temporary substitute resource pool. The purpose of the pool is to provide short-term physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, and advanced registered nurse practitioner personnel to rural communities where these health care providers:
(1) Are unavailable due to provider shortages;
(2) Need time off from practice to attend continuing education and other training programs; and
(3) Need time off from practice to attend to personal matters or recover from illness.
The health professional temporary substitute resource pool is intended to provide short-term assistance and should complement active health provider recruitment efforts by rural communities where shortages exist.
[ 1994 c 103 § 1; 1990 c 271 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.040 - Request procedure—Acceptance of gifts.

RCW 70.180.040
Request procedure—Acceptance of gifts.
(1) Requests for a temporary substitute health care professional may be made to the department by the certified health plan, local rural hospital, public health department or district, community health clinic, local practicing physician, physician assistant, pharmacist, or advanced registered nurse practitioner, or local city or county government.
(2) The department may provide directly or contract for services to:
(a) Establish a manner and form for receiving requests;
(b) Minimize paperwork and compliance requirements for participant health care professionals and entities requesting assistance; and
(c) Respond promptly to all requests for assistance.
(3) The department may apply for, receive, and accept gifts and other payments, including property and services, from any governmental or other public or private entity or person, and may make arrangements as to the use of these receipts to operate the pool. The department shall make available upon request to the appropriate legislative committees information concerning the source, amount, and use of such gifts or payments.
[ 1994 c 103 § 3; 1990 c 271 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.110 - Rural training opportunities—Plan development.

RCW 70.180.110
Rural training opportunities—Plan development.
(1) The department, in consultation with at least the student achievement council, the state board for community and technical colleges, the superintendent of public instruction, and state-supported education programs in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing, shall develop a plan for increasing rural training opportunities for students in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. The plan shall provide for direct exposure to rural health professional practice conditions for students planning careers in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing.
(2) The department and the medical, pharmacy, and nurse education programs shall:
(a) Inventory existing rural-based clinical experience programs, including internships, clerkships, residencies, and other training opportunities available to students pursuing degrees in nursing, pharmacy, and medicine;
(b) Identify where training opportunities do not currently exist and are needed;
(c) Develop recommendations for improving the availability of rural training opportunities;
(d) Develop recommendations on establishing agreements between education programs to assure that all students in medical, pharmacist, and nurse education programs in the state have access to rural training opportunities; and
(e) Review private and public funding sources to finance rural-based training opportunities.
[ 2012 c 229 § 593; 1998 c 245 § 120; 1990 c 271 § 15.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2012 c 229 §§ 101, 117, 401, 402, 501 through 594, 601 through 609, 701 through 708, 801 through 821, 902, and 904: See note following RCW 28B.77.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 70 - Public Health and Safety › Chapter 70.180 - Rural Health Care. › 70.180.120 - Midwifery—Statewide plan.

RCW 70.180.120
Midwifery—Statewide plan.
The department, in consultation with training programs that lead to licensure in midwifery and certification as a certified nurse midwife, and other appropriate private and public groups, shall develop a statewide plan to address access to midwifery services.
The plan shall include at least the following: (1) Identification of maternity service shortage areas in the state where midwives could reduce the shortage of services; (2) an inventory of current training programs and preceptorship activities available to train licensed and certified nurse midwives; (3) identification of gaps in the availability of training due to such factors as geographic or economic conditions that prevent individuals from seeking training; (4) identification of other barriers to utilizing midwives; (5) identification of strategies to train future midwives such as developing training programs at community colleges and universities, using innovative telecommunications for training in rural areas, and establishing preceptorship programs accessible to prospective midwives in shortage areas; (6) development of recruitment strategies; and (7) estimates of expected costs associated in recruitment and training.
The plan shall identify the most expeditious and cost-efficient manner to recruit and train midwives to meet the current shortages. Plan development and implementation shall be coordinated with other state policy efforts directed toward, but not limited to, maternity care access, rural health care system organization, and provider recruitment for shortage and medically underserved areas of the state.
[ 1998 c 245 § 121; 1990 c 271 § 16.]