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Medicaid Program : A National Health Insurance Program For The Under Privileged And Incapacitated

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The Medicaid program is a federal health insurance program for the under-privileged and incapacitated. The plan is managed by states within comprehensive limits instituted by the federal government. Together the federal and state governments finance the program, with the federal share ranging from 50 percent to 74 percent. Now Medicaid currently makes up 7 percent of the federal budget and 23.7 percent of all state expenses. Approximately sixty million people are enrolled in the Medicaid program and 400 million is spent annually.

History of Medicaid In 1965 president Lyndon Johnson authorized regulation that established the Medicaid program. The program has since grown from its origins as a health coverage program for welfare recipients …show more content…

111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-152), collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act increases access to care, makes health insurance more affordable, strengthens Medicare, and ensures that Americans have more rights and protections — and more security that health insurance coverage will be available when it is needed. The Affordable Care Act has given states the option to expand access to Medicaid for low-income adults and families. The federal government will pay for 100% of the costs of covering newly eligible adults for three years beginning in 2014. The federal amount decreases gradually and becomes 90% of the costs in 2020 and subsequent years (ASPE, 2016)
The ultimate goal of expanded Medicaid is to make coverage more secure for those who have insurance, and extend affordable coverage to the uninsured.
The Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress and then signed into law by the President on March 23, 2010. On June 28, 2012 the Supreme Court rendered a final decision to uphold the health care law.
The Objectives are to:
• Improve health care quality and patient safety
• Emphasize primary and preventive care, linked with community prevention services
• Reduce the growth of health care costs while promoting high-value, effective care
• Ensure access to quality, culturally competent care, including long-term services and supports, for vulnerable

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