What did the Medicaid Act of 1965 establish, and who did it help?

• A. Created Medicare health coverage for seniors
• B. Expanded private insurance subsidies
• C. Created a general public health program
• D. Created Medicaid health coverage for low-income people; funded with federal and state contributions

Answer: (D)

Medicaid is a joint federal‑state health program created in 1965 to provide coverage for people with low income. It isn’t a broad public health program or a private subsidy; it specifically targets those who cannot afford care, including low‑income adults, children, pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly who meet income and resource tests. The program is funded through a partnership between the federal government and the states, with the federal government providing matching funds and states administering eligibility and benefits within federal guidelines. This combination of means testing and federal‑state cooperation is what makes Medicaid distinct from Medicare (which covers most seniors and some disabled people regardless of income).