The government provides several programs that provide medical insurance to Americans, including Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides medical insurance to low-income individuals and families. Medicare is a federal program that provides medical insurance to individuals who are 65 years or older or have certain disabilities. The Affordable Care Act created health insurance marketplaces where individuals can purchase private medical insurance and provide financial assistance to help individuals and families afford medical insurance.