Final answer:
Medicaid is a joint health insurance program between the states and the federal government that provides medical insurance to certain low-income individuals. The federal government helps fund Medicaid while each state administers the program. The Affordable Care Act introduced regulations to control healthcare costs, including the requirement for healthcare providers to switch to electronic medical records (EMRs).
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicaid was created in 1965 as a joint health insurance program between the states and the federal government. It provides medical insurance to certain low-income people, including those below the poverty line, focusing on families with children, the elderly, and the disabled. The federal government helps fund Medicaid, and each state administers the program, determines eligibility and benefits, and provides varying levels of service. Medicaid recipients receive a basic level of benefits, but the program differs from state to state.
In 2009, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced regulations to control healthcare costs, including a cap on administrative costs and a requirement for healthcare providers to switch to electronic medical records (EMRs). EMRs reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency in healthcare delivery.
The federal government provided funds to healthcare providers who accepted Medicare and Medicaid patients to set up electronic medical record systems. This allowed for the digitization of patient records, making them easily accessible, reducing paperwork, and improving the overall quality of healthcare.