Final answer:
Medicare is federal health coverage for those 65+ and certain disabled individuals, necessitating services to be 'necessary and appropriate.' Medicaid assists low-income populations with varying eligibility by state. The Affordable Care Act, though challenged, expanded access to health insurance and was part of the ongoing debate about federal vs. state control of healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Medicare program, established in 1965, is designed to provide healthcare coverage to citizens aged 65 and older, as well as those with certain disabilities. To have a service covered by Medicare, it must be deemed necessary and appropriate. Additionally, Medicaid offers coverage to low-income individuals, covering essential services such as nursing home care, with eligibility varying by state. Financial strains have led states to re-evaluate optional medical services provided under Medicaid due to escalating costs.
Public healthcare in the United States is mainly represented by Medicare and Medicaid. Other public healthcare programs include the Indian Health Service for Native Americans, the Veterans Health Administration for veterans, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for children from low-income families. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) aimed to reform the healthcare system, providing access to health insurance for all Americans and reducing healthcare costs.
In the legal landscape, the National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius case challenged aspects of the ACA, where decisions on the Medicare expansion and the individual mandate were key outcomes. Debates about the governmental domain of healthcare policy frequently refer to whether it should be a state power or covered under federal government's provision for 'general welfare' as per historical precedence. These discussions continue to shape healthcare policy in the United States.