Medicaid was signed into law as part of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 30, 1965. Medicaid was created as a federal and state program to provide health coverage for low-income individuals, including pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities. Medicaid played a crucial role in expanding access to healthcare for African Americans and other marginalized communities who were disproportionately affected by lack of access to medical care.

The passage of Medicaid was a significant achievement in the history of Black Americans as it helped address the long-standing disparities in healthcare access that had persisted due to systemic racism and discrimination. Medicaid has played a key role in improving health outcomes for Black communities by providing coverage for essential healthcare services and helping to reduce financial barriers to accessing care.

Overall, the establishment of Medicaid as part of the Great Society programs of the 1960s marked an important step towards addressing healthcare inequality and advancing social justice for all Americans, including Black citizens.