Final answer:
The Balanced Budget Act (BBA) is the 1997 congressional act that imposed new limits on home health payments. It aimed to control healthcare costs by reducing Medicare spending and included provisions that restricted Medicare payments to home health agencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1997 congressional act that imposed new limits on home health payments is the Balanced Budget Act (BBA). The BBA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton and aimed to control healthcare costs by reducing Medicare spending. The act included provisions that restricted Medicare payments to home health agencies, such as implementing a prospective payment system and reducing reimbursement rates. These changes were meant to promote efficiency in the home healthcare industry and ensure that Medicare funds were allocated appropriately.