The impact of OBRA '87 on psychiatric services in nursing homes - Joint testimony of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

The Institute of Medicine has formed a Committee on Improving Quality in Lo ng-Term Care, which is examining the legislative and quality-of-care impact that the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87) had on long- term care. The American Psychiatric Association and the American Associatio n for Geriatric Psychiatry were asked to provide written and oral testimony before the Committee in March 1998. The two organizations summarized the k ey outcomes of OBRA '87 on the psychiatric needs of individuals who receive services in long-term care settings. The written testimony also encouraged the Committee to insist that the long-term care industry develop, test, an d refine psychiatric and mental health quality outcome measures for nursing facilities and other long-term care settings.