Why was OBRA passed?

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA), passed in 1987, was a significant piece of legislation aimed primarily at improving the quality of care in nursing homes and addressing concerns regarding neglect and abuse. This act was a response to widespread reports highlighting the inadequate care that residents were receiving in long-term care facilities.

OBRA established comprehensive reforms that focused on the rights of residents, staff training, and the necessity for quality improvement in nursing home operations. It introduced requirements for a higher standard of care, including assessments of residents' needs and the development of individualized care plans. Thus, the primary motivation for its passage was to tackle the serious issues of poor care and abuse that negatively impacted the lives of residents in such facilities.

The other potential answers, while they may seem relevant in various discussions about healthcare funding or safety regulations, do not capture the core intent of OBRA, which was fundamentally a response to the urgent need for better care standards in nursing homes across the United States.