Long-Term Care Amendments

Long-Term Care Amendments - Establishes, under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, a Federal Advisory Council on Long Term Care to consist of the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging and four other members appointed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. States that the duty of the Council shall be to provide advice and recommendations for the consideration of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare on regulations and on matters of general policy.

Makes individuals receiving supplemental security income benefits eligible to enroll for long-term care service benefits. Sets forth provisions governing eligibility for and duration of enrollment.

States that the benefits provided to an individual by the program shall consist of: (1) home health services; (2) homemaker services; (3) nutrition services; (4) long term institutional care services; (5) day care services; (6) foster home services; and (7) community mental health center out patient services.

Requires each State to have a long-term care or equivalent agency to direct, promote, and generally assist the programs established under this Act.

Sets forth provisions governing the payment of premiums. Establishes the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund to meet the fiscal requirements of the program.

States that the functions which a community long-term care center must perform shall include providing items and services to eligible beneficiaries and evaluating the long term care needs of each individual entitled to benefits.

Defines terms used in the Act.

Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and make available to community long term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for covered benefits on a prospective basis.

Directs the Secretary to pay to any State long-term care agency an amount equal to 90 percent of the costs incurred by such agency.

Increases by $36 per month the amount of supplemental security income benefits provided under title XVI (Supplemental Security Benefits) of the Social Security Act.

Authorizes appropriations for long term care training programs of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $2,500,000 for the fiscal year transition period, and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977.