Transitional Health Care Cost Containment Act

Transitional Health Care Cost Containment Act - Directs the President and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to consult with people in the fields of medicine, hospital management and finance, and representatives of patients, labor, and management and to submit to the Congress before October 1, 1978, a report of recommendations for reforms in the structure, delivery, and financing of health care.

Title I: Moratorium on Increases in Hospital Labor Intensity - Prohibits any hospital from increasing the number of full-time employees of the hospital between October 1, 1977, and September 30, 1979.

Subjects any hospital which violates the provisions of this Act to a civil penalty.

Title II: Moratorium on Acquisition of New Health Care Equipment and Facilities - Prohibits, in the 24-month period beginning October 1, 1977, any person engaged in the provision of health care from acquiring or using any health care equipment or facility if the equipment or facility has not been previously used. Sets forth exceptions to such prohibition.

Establishes a civil penalty for violation of the prohibition.

Title III: Preservation of Depreciation - Prohibits the Secretary from taking any action which will affect the entitlement of any health care provider to reimbursement for depreciation allowable under the Social Security Act.

Title IV: Modifications to the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act - Prohibits health systems agencies and State health planning and development agencies from reviewing the need for new institutional health services during the 24-month period beginning on October 1, 1977.