Medicaid is the U.S. government program that provides health coverage mainly for eligible low-income people.
Congress created Medicaid in 1965 as part of the same legislation that created Medicare. Medicaid is jointly financed by the federal government and the states, and states administer their programs within federal requirements. Eligibility rules and covered services can vary among states.
The program covers many children, parents, pregnant people, older adults, and people with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act also encouraged states to expand eligibility for many low-income adults, although the Supreme Court made that expansion optional for states.
Medicaid is commonly confused with Medicare. Medicare is primarily a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities or specific conditions. Some people qualify for both programs.