Opinion ID: 1312214
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the medicaid program

Text: In 1965, the United States Congress created the Medicaid program by amending the Social Security Act to include Title XIX. See generally 42 U.S.C. 1396, et seq. The Medicaid program is a federal/state cooperative program designed to provide medical services for the poor. If a state decides to accept federal funds under Title XIX, it must furnish five types of services [3] for the categorically needy. [4] In interpreting the Medicaid provisions, the United States Supreme Court in Beal v. Doe, 432 U.S. 438, 441, 97 S.Ct. 2366, 2369, 53 L.Ed.2d 464, 470 (1977), explained that a state is not required to provide funding for all medical treatment falling within the five general categories, [but must] establish `reasonable standards ... which ... are consistent with the objectives of [the Medicaid program].'  (Citation omitted). Funding for the program is based on a formula under which the federal government matches a state's financial contribution at a ratio based on the state's per capita income. 42 C.F.R. § 433.10 (1991). Each state that chooses to participate in the Medicaid program is required to submit a state plan to the federal Health Care Financing Authority (HCFA) for its approval. See generally 42 C.F.R. §§ 430.10-430.25. Under its plan, a state must have an accounting system to assure that requests for federal reimbursement comply with federal regulations. 42 C.F.R. 433.32. To receive its matching federal funds, a state is required to file a quarterly report of its Medicaid expenditures with the HCFA. The state then receives matching funds for its expenditures from the federal government. The HCFA audits each state's program quarterly to verify that the state has followed all federal guidelines. 42 C.F.R. § 430.33.