Medicaid Matters: Understanding Medicaid’s Role in Our Health Care System

This fact sheet provides key information about the Medicaid program and its role in our health care system and state economies. The nation’s public health insurance program for low-income people is counter-cyclical, expanding during the recent recession to assist millions of individuals and families affected by the loss of jobs and job-based health insurance. While the program has worked as intended, economic conditions have contributed to growing pressure on state budgets and Medicaid funding.

This brief provides key information about the Medicaid program and its role in the U.S. health care system and state economies.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)