If you ask someone about Medicaid, the response will likely vary. To some, it is a distant government program, to others it is a lifeline providing them with access to healthcare resources that would otherwise not be available.
A Foundation Built on Access
The Medicaid Program was established in 1965 by the same federal legislation that established Medicare as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society Program. Medicaid was conceived as a medical assistance supplement to help states cover the cost of healthcare for people receiving cash assistance. The cash assistance population at that time included low-income families with dependent children and aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
Today’s Medicaid program also covers pregnant and postpartum women, people living with disabilities, and people who need long-term care. It is the largest source of health coverage in the US – roughly 1 in 5 Americans are enrolled and nearly half of all births are covered by Medicaid, demonstrating its prominence in providing access to healthcare for millions of Americans.
The 60th anniversary of the enactment of Medicaid provides an opportunity to recognize how the program has vastly evolved, with expansions and changes to address the needs of the population it serves. Medicaid has been at the forefront of designing and implementing innovative healthcare solutions that create lasting impacts.
Past Milestones in Medicaid Policy
- As of January 2024, states became required to provide 12 months of continuous eligibility for children under the age of 19, which has ensured children maintain health coverage without financial or administrative barriers.
- Nearly every state has extended Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months, a fundamental role to reducing the country’s maternal mortality rates and improving health outcomes through coverage stability.
- As the largest payor for mental and behavioral healthcare, Medicaid has notable achievements in addressing these challenges faced by Medicaid beneficiaries.
- Value-based care programs that hold payors and providers accountable to decrease costs and improve quality of care are increasingly implemented.
Through these past policy initiatives and many others, Medicaid has increased access to care, reduced uninsured rates, and enhanced care outcomes.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
Although the future of Medicaid is undergoing major policy changes after the passing of H.R. 1 -OBBBA, the anniversary of the passing of this great legislative achievement provides a moment to reflect on its proven value to individuals and communities, and how integral it is to our healthcare system.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Sellers Dorsey has been at the forefront of providing support and expertise on Medicaid issues and policy for the past two decades. As we celebrate and acknowledge the program’s anniversary, Sellers Dorsey reaffirms our commitment to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in Medicaid.
Plus, stay tuned for more! To celebrate 60 years of Medicaid, Sellers Dorsey will be releasing issue briefs each month, covering the program’s positive impact on vulnerable populations nationwide.
