Individuals with mental retardation in residential facilities: findings from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey.

Data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey, a large survey designed to yield national estimates pertaining to the use of medical care, were used to compare residents of state institutions with residents of other types of residential facilities. Findings concur with past studies: Residents of state institutions were more severely retarded and more likely to have other disabilities and functional impairments than were residents of other residential facilities. However, many residents of other facilities had severe impairments. Relatively more persons with severe impairments resided in these facilities in states where small facility beds were relatively plentiful.