Medicaid at 50: Marking a Milestone for Women's Health

When Medicaid was enacted 50 years ago, no one could have imagined that this relatively modest program would become the backbone of coverage for millions of low-income women. Today, Medicaid provides health and long-term coverage to more than 1 in 10 women. For women inparticular, the program has served as a critical safety net by providing coverage for a wide spectrum of services that other government programs and private insurance did not, from contraceptives and pregnancy-related care to longterm care services and supports. Medicaid’s 50th anniversary is an opportune time to look back at some of the program’s achievements as they have affected women and to take stock of the challenges the program will continue to face in the coming years.