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Overview of the Medicaid Program


Title XIX of the Social Security Act is a program which provides medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low incomes and resources. The program, known as Medicaid, became law in 1965 as a jointly funded cooperative venture between the Federal and State governments to assist States in the provision of adequate medical care to eligible needy persons. Medicaid is the largest program providing medical and health-related services to America's poorest people.Within broad national guidelines which the Federal government provides, each of the States:

  1. establishes its own eligibility standards;
  2. determines the type, amount, duration, and scope of services;
  3. sets the rate of payment for services; and
  4. administers its own program.

Thus, the Medicaid program varies considerably from State to State, as well as within each State over time.



Last Modified on Thursday, September 16, 2004