Final answer:
Older adults use healthcare services the most, with Medicaid spending mainly focused on seniors, the blind, and disabled. School-based healthcare programs are crucial because they provide accessible healthcare to students and help reduce absenteeism, leading to better educational outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of people that utilizes healthcare services the most is older adults. Although almost half of Medicaid enrollees are children, the elderly population, constituting approximately 25% of the participants, accounts for the highest healthcare expenditures. In terms of Medicaid spending, 64% goes to seniors and individuals who are blind or have disabilities, with seniors receiving 20% and the blind and disabled receiving 44%. Children and adults receive 21% and 15% of Medicaid spending, respectively.
As for the need for school-based healthcare programs, the best explanation is that school-based programs provide accessible healthcare for students, addressing their immediate medical needs during school hours. Not only does it reduce absenteeism due to preventable illnesses, contributing to improved educational outcomes, but it also eases the burden on parents to ensure that their children get timely medical attention.