Final answer:
The average share of Medicaid in state budgets varies, but it is a significant portion of state spending. Healthcare, including Medicaid, is the largest expenditure category for most states, accounting for around 36% of their budget. Medicaid spending is highest for seniors and the blind and disabled, comprising 64% of overall spending.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average share of Medicaid in state budgets varies depending on the state, but it is a significant portion of state spending. According to a state spending pie chart from 2015, the average state spends around 36% of their budget on healthcare, which includes Medicaid. This makes healthcare the largest expenditure category for most states.
While the percentage may fluctuate from state to state, Medicaid is consistently a major component of state budgets due to the high cost of healthcare services covered by the program. This has led some states to make cuts to optional medical services in order to manage their budgets more effectively.
In terms of the population covered by Medicaid, children make up the largest percentage at around 47%, followed by lower-income adults at 28%, and the blind and disabled at 16%. However, actual Medicaid spending is highest for seniors and the blind and disabled, which make up 64% of all Medicaid spending.