Medicaid is a program established by the U.S. government in 1965 as part of the Social Security Act. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his "Great Society" initiatives, which aimed to address poverty and improve access to healthcare for all Americans, including Black individuals who faced significant health disparities at the time.

Medicaid was created to provide health insurance to low-income individuals and families who could not otherwise afford medical care. This was especially important for Black communities, who often faced systemic barriers to accessing quality healthcare due to segregation, discrimination, and economic inequality.

The implementation of Medicaid played a significant role in improving the health outcomes of Black Americans by increasing access to essential healthcare services, including preventive care, screenings, and treatments for chronic conditions.

Today, Medicaid continues to be a crucial resource for millions of Americans, including a significant number of Black individuals and families, ensuring they have access to the healthcare they need to lead healthy and productive lives.