Improving quality in long-term care facilities through increased regulations and enforcement.

This research addresses the origins and motivations that drive long-term-care regulations and enforcement. It outlines the historical development of the US long-term-care system and describes regulations that focus on improving quality of care. Current long-term-care regulations are inadequate and ineffective because of fragmentation and inconsistencies that have resulted in conflicts of interest, inequitable services, underfunded care, low reimbursement, cumbersome and duplicative processes, and inadequate training and compensation for providers. Reforms such as establishing higher standards and modifying enforcement procedures are necessary to bring about increased quality of care for long-term-care consumers.