OBRA 87 addressed standards for long-term care by...

OBRA 87 addressed standards for long-term care by...

• A. Eliminated ICF/ID facilities.
• B. Only required increasing staffing ratios without other changes.
• C. A law that merged Medicare and Medicaid standards for long-term care facilities and upgraded ICF/ID to the same as skilled care facilities.
• D. Removed Medicaid funding for long-term care facilities.

Answer: (C)

OBRA 87 created unified, strengthened standards for long-term care facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, and it lifted the bar for care across the board. A key part of this reform was upgrading ICF/ID facilities to meet the same basic standards as skilled nursing facilities, ensuring comparable quality of care, staffing, and oversight. In other words, it standardized federal requirements across programs and raised the level of care in long-term facilities. This isn’t about simply adding more staff or removing facilities or funding. It wasn’t about eliminating ICF/ID facilities, nor did it reduce funding; it focused on aligning standards and protections across the board so residents receive consistent, quality care.

OBRA 87 created unified, strengthened standards for long-term care facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, and it lifted the bar for care across the board. A key part of this reform was upgrading ICF/ID facilities to meet the same basic standards as skilled nursing facilities, ensuring comparable quality of care, staffing, and oversight. In other words, it standardized federal requirements across programs and raised the level of care in long-term facilities.

This isn’t about simply adding more staff or removing facilities or funding. It wasn’t about eliminating ICF/ID facilities, nor did it reduce funding; it focused on aligning standards and protections across the board so residents receive consistent, quality care.