What is the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act or Obra 87?
Signed into law in 1987, the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (or OBRA '87) marked a pivotal moment for senior care, with studies showing significant reductions in physical restraint use and improved care planning in its wake. This landmark legislation set comprehensive federal standards for all Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes, fundamentally reshaping how facilities operate and prioritize resident well-being.