Final answer:
Medicaid is the federal and state assistance program that pays for health care services for people who cannot afford them. It provides medical insurance for certain low-income people, including those below the poverty line, with a focus on families with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicaid is the federal and state assistance program that pays for health care services for people who cannot afford them. It was created in 1965 as a joint health insurance program between the states and the federal government. Medicaid provides medical insurance for certain low-income people, including those below the poverty line, with a focus on families with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The program ensures that participants receive a basic level of benefits, but because each state sets eligibility requirements and provides varying levels of service, the program differs from state to state.