Medicaid payments and utilization of medical services by the poor

The Medicaid program, initiated in 1966 under the Johnson Administration, was one of many programs designed to help the poor and disadvantaged enjoy the fruits of a growing and prosperous economy. Among all of the Great Society programs, those devoted to financing medical care (Medicaid for the poor and Medicare for the elderly) received the largest and most rapidly growing share of budgetary resources. In 1976, governmental expenditures under the Federal State Medicaid program are expected to be $ 14 billion, providing medical care services for an estimated 23 million low income persons.