Meeting the Health Needs of Low-Income Families

Individuals and families with incomes insufficient to meet their medical expenses cannot necessarily in all states and communities count upon assistance from voluntary or public medical care programs. A number of states have not taken full advantage of federal matching funds in the federal- state public assistance programs to provide for the medical needs of recipients. Relatively few states meet all medical requirements of needy persons. Although there is consider able interest and some programs have been developing in the new category of Medical Assistance for the Aged, which was authorized by congressional action in 1961, the states in gen eral are not achieving the congressional intent of a program with liberal eligibility requirements and a broad scope of services.