Which legislation governs the provision of services in nursing homes?

The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 is pivotal in establishing standards for the provision of services in nursing homes. This legislation was designed specifically to improve the quality of care in nursing facilities by setting forth guidelines that must be adhered to by these institutions. It emphasizes the rights of residents, the necessity for personalized care plans, and the requirement for adequate staffing to ensure that the needs of residents are met.

This act also introduced elements to protect residents from neglect and abuse while promoting their dignity and autonomy. It established a foundation for the Medicare and Medicaid programs to enforce certain standards in order to receive funding, thereby mandating that facilities provide quality care.

The other options, while related to healthcare and funding, do not directly govern the specific operational standards and expectations for nursing homes the way the Nursing Home Reform Act does. The Social Security Act is more focused on social insurance programs, the Affordable Care Act mainly addresses health insurance access and quality improvement across various settings, and the Medicaid Act deals with state and federal funding for medical assistance but does not specifically set the standards for nursing home care that the 1987 act established.