Health Cost Restraint Act of 1979

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Health Cost Restraint Act of 1979 - Title I: Health Cost Restraint Tax Act - Health Cost Restraint Tax Act of 1979 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the tax exclusion for employer contributions to employee health plans. Requires employee health plans with options whose costs exceed certain specified levels (trigger points) to provide: (1) a low cost option or an option to enroll in a qualified health maintenance organization (HMO); (2) specified minimum coverage; and (3) approximately equal employer contributions to different options. Imposes a $2,000 limitation on deductibles and copayments. Includes in the gross income of employees any employer contributions to health plans which do not meet such requirements. Requires employers to rebate to employees the difference between contributions to health plans whose costs exceed permissible levels and the cost of a lower option plan selected by the employee. Title II: Health Maintenance Organizations - Amends title XIII of the Public Health Service Act (Health Maintenance Organizations) to modify the dual choice provision to require an employer to offer either two individual practice associations (IPA) or two closed plan HMOs …