What government program provides health care coverage for individuals with insufficient income and resources?

Medicaid is a government program specifically designed to provide health care coverage to individuals and families who have insufficient income and resources. It primarily serves low-income individuals, including children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program, meaning that while the federal government sets certain guidelines, individual states determine the specific eligibility requirements and benefits offered, which can lead to variations across the country.

This program plays a crucial role in ensuring access to necessary medical services for those who would otherwise struggle to afford care. Unlike Medicare, which serves primarily older adults and those with certain disabilities regardless of income, Medicaid is focused specifically on financial need. CHIP, on the other hand, is targeted at children in families with incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid but still too low to afford private insurance. Social Security refers to retirement and disability benefits rather than health coverage.

By focusing on low-income individuals, Medicaid helps to alleviate some of the financial barriers to accessing health care, thereby improving health outcomes and supporting vulnerable populations in society.