Medicaid is a federal and state public health insurance program for which those who are considered to be low income can apply. Around 1 in 5 Americans is currently covered by the Medicaid program, receiving at least partial coverage for a wide range of health care services. It is one of the main sources of financial coverage for both long-term and short-term medical care in the United States. Every state provides a varying portion of coverage, with the federal government providing the same portion regardless of state, which means that every person will have some coverage, but the total amount of coverage that is also provided by the state on top of what the federal government is contributing will vary from state to state. The name of the program will also vary from state to state, with some states referring to this program as “Medical Assistance” or "Medi-Cal." The eligibility for Medicaid varies by state as well, with the general qualifications including being a resident of the state in which you are applying for the program, being categorized as low income or very low income financially, being a citizen of the United States, or being a lawful permanent resident. Some states will have additional options or limitations for those of particular ages or parenting statuses.