Now, find a comfortable place to sit, and let's talk Medicaid.

Medicaid, brought into effect by Title XIX of the Social Security Act, provides medical assistance for uninsured children, low-income population members, the disabled, and the elderly, as well as a large portion of long-term nursing home care.

Medicaid is funded by both federal and state governments and is generally in the responsibility of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) was a result of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act and implements a federal agreement to match state funds for Medicaid (given a state plan for enrollment of uninsured children).

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) altered how eligibility for Medicaid is determined. Income eligibility is now based on one's Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) which takes into account taxable income and tax filing relationship (married, single, etc.). Certain individuals are exempt from the MAGI income eligibility methodology: people whose eligibility is based on disability, age (65 or older), and blindness. Eligibility for these groups is usually determined by using the supplemental security income (SSI) methodology.

Eligibility for Medicaid is also dependent on non-income related criteria. Individuals must live in the state where they are receiving Medicaid and must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens like permanent residents.