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1983 FNHRA Litigation Cheat Sheet by

This summary is designed to provide an overview of the law for both residents and facilities.

What is the FNHRA?

The Federal Nursing Home Reform Act (FNHRA), also referred to as the Omnibus Budget Reconc­ili­ation Act of 1987 (OBRA 87), is the guiding statute for nursing facility law. It details what skilled nursing facili­ties, including nursing homes and assisted living facili­ties, must provide their residents.

What is § 1983?

42 U.S.C. § 1983 makes any person who deprives a citizen of a Federally granted right while acting under color of state law can be held civilly liable to that citizen.
"­Under color of state law" means acting with authority of the govern­ment.

What Cases are Important?

FNHRA and § 1983 Compat­ibility
Health & Hosp. Corp. of Marion Cnty. v. Talevski, 599 U.S. 166 (2023).
§ 1983 Compat­ibi­lity, Generally
Blessing v. Freestone, 520 U.S. 329 (1997); Gonzaga Univ. v. Doe, 536 U.S. 273, 284, 287 (2002).
QoL Provisions Enforc­ement
Grammer v. John J. Kane Reg'l Center­s-Glen Hazel, 570 F.3d 520 (3d Cir. 2009); Rolland v. Romney, 318 F.3d 42, 53 n. 10 (1st Cir. 2003).
 

Who Can Be Sued?

Nursing facilities owned and operated by local or municipal govern­ments

Who Can Sue?

Residents in nursing facilities owned by local or municipal govern­ments

In What Jurisd­ict­ions?

Federal Courts in the Third Circuit (has already found the QoL provisions enforc­eable)
Includes Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsy­lvania.
Federal Courts in the First Circuit (has suggested the QoL provisions are enforc­eable)
Includes Maine, Massac­hus­etts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island.
Federal Courts in the Second, Seventh, or Ninth Circuits (have found the FNHRA generally can create rights)
Includes Arizona, Califo­rnia, Connec­ticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washin­gton, Wisconsin.
 

For what acts?

Government agency's policies or customs
Govern­ment's failure to train or supervise its employees
A government employee's final decision with an effect similar to a policy
For more, see Martin Schwartz, Section 1983 Litigation

What Can Be Enforced?

Right to Quality Food
Includes when food is offered and what food is offered
42 U.S.C. § 1396r(­b)(­4)(­A)(iv); 42 CFR § 483.60.
Right to Meaningful Activities
Includes having access to a choice of activities and those activities being meaningful
42 U.S.C. § 1396r(­b)(2), (4)(A)(v); 42 CFR 483.24(c); 42 CFR § 483.10­(f)­(1)­,(3).
Right to be Treated with Respect and Dignity
Includes intera­ctions with staff, as well as policies that enable staff to engage with residents
42 U.S.C. § 1396r(b)(l )(A); 42 C.F.R. § 483.10­(a)(1).

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