Medicaid

Medicaid is a federal and state entitlement program that provides medical benefits to low-income and low-resource individuals and families who meet federal and state eligibility requirements. The Medicaid program is the largest source of medical funding for poor people in the United States. Medicaid is overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), but the program is primarily administered at the state level. The federal government provides financial assistance to states, with a greater share of financial support going to states with lower average per capita incomes. Although states vary widely in their program requirements and the services offered, there are certain groups and services that must be covered, including care for children, pregnant women, and disabled individuals. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) are two special programs within Medicaid designed to cover uninsured children and to provide home- and community-based care to the elderly, respectively.