Which population does Medicaid primarily serve?

Medicaid is designed to provide health coverage primarily for low-income individuals and families, including eligible children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. The program is essential in ensuring that those who may not have the financial means to afford health care access necessary medical services. By focusing on low-income populations, Medicaid fills a critical gap in the health care system, offering coverage that can include hospitalization, outpatient care, preventive services, and long-term care, among other medical needs.

High-income individuals are not the target demographic for Medicaid, as they typically have access to private insurance options. Similarly, retired workers only might have access to Medicare, not Medicaid unless they meet low-income criteria. Lastly, while students in higher education might have unique insurance needs, they are not exclusively the focus of Medicaid; rather, Medicaid supports those whose income levels meet the specific eligibility requirements. This concentration on low-income Americans and eligible children is what fundamentally defines the Medicaid program's mission.