Medicare Amendments of 1979

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Medicare Amendments of 1979 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to home health care services to eliminate: (1) the 100 visit limitation presently applicable to such services; (2) prior hospitalization as a condition of eligibility for such services; and (3) the $60 deductible. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe regulations which prohibit a physician who has a significant financial relationship with a home health agency from certifying that the services of such agency are required for any individual, and from establishing and reviewing a plan for furnishing such services to such individuals. Requires home health aides to complete a training program approved by the Secretary. Repeals provisions of title XVIII which prohibit the classification, as a home health agency, of a private organization which is not a nonprofit organization unless licensed pursuant to State law. Eliminates the requirement of consecutive months in the 24-month Medicare waiting period for railroad retirement disability beneficiaries, or old-age, survivors and disability insurance beneficiaries who are disabled, to be eligible for Medicare hosp…