<Tr> <Td> This box: <Ul> <Li> view </Li> <Li> talk </Li> <Li> edit </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> view </Li> <Li> talk </Li> <Li> edit </Li> </Ul> <P> The Social Security Amendments of 1965 created Medicaid by adding Title XIX to the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § § 1396 et seq . Under the program, the federal government provides matching funds to states to enable them to provide medical assistance to residents who meet certain eligibility requirements . The objective is to help states provide medical assistance to residents whose incomes and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services . Medicaid serves as the nation's primary source of health insurance coverage for low - income populations . </P> <P> States are not required to participate . Those that do must comply with federal Medicaid laws under which each participating state administers its own Medicaid program, establishes eligibility standards, determines the scope and types of services it will cover, and sets the rate of payment . Benefits vary from state to state, and because someone qualifies for Medicaid in one state, it does not mean they will qualify in another . The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) monitors the state - run programs and establishes requirements for service delivery, quality, funding, and eligibility standards . </P>

Who contributes at least half of the funds to medicaid