Medicaid

American  

[med-i-keyd] / ˈmɛd ɪˌkeɪd /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. a U.S. government program, financed by federal, state, and local funds, of hospitalization and medical insurance for persons of all ages within certain income limits.

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Medicaid British  

/ ˈmɛdɪˌkeɪd /

noun

1. a health assistance programme financed by federal, state, and local taxes to help pay hospital and medical costs for persons of low income

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Medicaid Cultural  

1. A state and federally funded program that reimburses healthcare providers for care given to qualifying people who cannot pay for their medical expenses.

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Etymology

Origin of Medicaid

medic(al) + aid

Example Sentences

Newsom said the state will prioritize hospitals that serve large numbers of parents enrolled in Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal Medicaid program providing healthcare coverage to low-income Americans.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

California will give priority to mothers on the state’s Medicaid program, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

As part of a push to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud, the department will field more prosecutors to fight an increase in fraud in Western states.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

If an adult child stays home to care for a parent, that will save Medicaid, which ultimately pays for nursing homes, a lot of money.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

Because they were born in New York, Peralta’s children are United States citizens, and their health care is generally covered by Medicaid.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

• Medicare