An In-Depth Look at the Citizens Who Rely on Medicaid

This short video explains how Medicaid has expanded its coverage to cover roughly 1 in 5 Americans. When Congress created Medicaid in 1965 to provide health insurance for low-income Americans, it initially covered only a small portion of the population, about 2 percent of Americans. Today, 50 years from its inception, the program covers approximately 20 percent of the population.

This video is one of a series of collaborations between Vox and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. See the full list of videos below.

#1: What’s the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?

#2: What Medicaid expansion means in your state

#3: The profound effect of Medicaid on children’s health

#4: An in-depth look at the citizens who rely on Medicaid