What the Health? From KFF Health News Happy 60th, Medicare and Medicaid!
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Aug 21, 2025 
Join Jonathan Oberlander, a Medicare historian from UNC, and Sara Rosenbaum, a Medicaid expert from GWU, as they celebrate 60 years of these pivotal programs. They discuss Medicare’s evolution from bipartisan support to the rise of privatization, addressing its financial sustainability myths. Rosenbaum reflects on Medicaid's journey from an afterthought to a vital lifeline for low-income individuals. Together, they explore ongoing healthcare reforms and the crucial roles these programs play in ensuring access to health for all.
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Medicaid's Origins Were Intentionally Designed
- Sara Rosenbaum notes Medicaid's origins tied to the Kerr‑Mills grants and careful legislative design.
- The statute's structure revealed foresight rather than an accidental afterthought.
Medicaid Was Built As A State Grant Program
- Medicaid began as a federal-state grant program to cover specific low‑income categories via state plans.
- Its intent included paying for services outside Medicare, notably nursing home and long‑term care.
Flexible Financing Enabled Medicaid Growth
- Wilbur Cohen and others crafted Medicaid to use general revenues and flexible federal financing.
- That financing model made Medicaid easier to expand to new populations over time.