The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987. A policy analysis

The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 set forth new provisions for Medicare and Medicaid sections related to new standards for care in the nursing home setting. One major provision was for nurse aide training. Within that provision there are four specified requirements: (1) nurse aide training for 75 hours, (2) competency evaluation of newly trained nurse aides, (3) competency evaluation of nurse aides already providing care, and (4) a registry for nurse aides. The primary implications of the these requirements center on the responsibility of the individual nurse or nurse community in ensuring appropriate implementation of the new requirement. Without appropriate implementation, some of the provisions increase the liability of the nurse and the risk to the public. The reality of OBRA 1987 and its intent of bringing a measure of quality assurance to the nursing home industry should only serve as an impetus for the nursing community to better translate the nurse role and its contribution in the nursing home setting to policy makers at local, state, and federal levels.