Final answer:
Medicaid, created in 1965, is a joint federal-state program providing health insurance to low-income individuals, with state-specific eligibility and services that were expanded under the ACA.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congress created Medicaid in 1965 as a joint health insurance program between both the states and the federal government.
Designed to provide medical insurance for certain low-income people, including those below the poverty line, Medicaid focuses on providing coverage for low-income families with children, the elderly, and the disabled. Medicaid differs from Medicare in that it is partially funded by the states with varying eligibility requirements and levels of service, which can affect the accessibility and comprehensiveness of health coverage to beneficiaries.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) sought to expand Medicaid eligibility and lower overall costs by increasing federal support for states that agreed to raise their minimum income requirements.