Health Maintenance Organization Amendments of 1978

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Health Maintenance Organization Act Amendments - Amends the term used to describe the providers of basic health services in Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) organized under the Public Health Service Act from "health professionals" to "physicians," thereby excluding from the services provided by a HMO the services of dentists, nurses, podiatrists, optometrists, and such other individuals engaged in the delivery of health services as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may designate. Increases the maximum amounts available for: (1) grants and guarantees of loans for initial development of HMO's; (2) loans made or guaranteed for initial operation costs of HMO's. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and guarantees to nonfederal lenders of payment of principal and interest on loans made to equip, construct, acquire, or renovate ambulatory care facilities. Extends for five years, through fiscal year 1985, the period during which loans and loan guarantees may be made for initial operation costs of HMO's. Establishes in the Treasury a loan and loan guarantee fund which shall be available to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enable the Secretary to dis…