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

They include bolstering safety nets such as unemployment insurance and Medicaid, and creating incentives for firms to increase employer-sponsored benefits including those for retirement and healthcare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

My brother says lawyers can get him a Medicaid nursing home in Florida for a ‘hefty fee,’ despite his assets.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Those amounts do not consider mandatory spending on Medicare and Medicaid.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Although the facility was meant to care for the dying, its patient mortality rate was about 2.3% during the last five years, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 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