Recognizing the lifesaving impact 

Since its inception in 1965, Medicaid has been a vital source of healthcare access for millions of Americans. Medicaid Awareness Month highlights how this life-saving program provides essential medical coverage to vulnerable populations. 

Current Reach and Impact 

As of November 2023, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) collectively provide coverage to 85,815,827 individuals. Within this number, 78,710,401 are enrolled in Medicaid, while the remaining 7,105,426 are enrolled in CHIP. 

Addressing Health Disparities and Promoting Preventive Care

One of Medicaid’s primary functions is to provide individuals access to preventive care and early interventions, such as immunizations, screenings, and ongoing management of chronic conditions. By taking a proactive approach, Medicaid improves health outcomes for adults, children, and families. Medicaid also plays a role in addressing health disparities through initiatives that target health outcomes for racial, ethnic, and other population groups that have experienced barriers to health coverage. 

Maintaining Access to Healthcare

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state Medicaid agencies work together to ensure eligible individuals have access to essential healthcare services. CMS assists with federal policy guidance, explaining how laws impacting programs, such as Medicaid, will be implemented. In doing so, it helps state Medicaid agencies comply with these laws. CMS also provides the federal portion of Medicaid funding to states through federal financial participation guidance and various state grants for specific services. 

Supporting State Medicaid Agencies

State Medicaid agencies play a critical role in navigating the complexities of the program, adjusting to federal regulations, and meeting the needs of their communities. Public Knowledge® Medicaid experts collaborate closely with these agencies, providing insights and support to enhance program efficiency and help improve outcomes. For agencies that want to modernize their systems, we provide comprehensive support from planning through design, development, and implementation. Our team leverages their expertise in technology, business systems analysis, and project management to help you plan and implement more efficient and scalable solutions.