Since 1965, Medicaid has played an essential role in the health and well-being of families and individuals with low incomes, including children, parents, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. 

The impact of this popular public insurance program was amplified under a key provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 to allow states to expand coverage by raising the income level for eligibility. The ACA also allowed coverage for adults with low incomes who don’t have dependent children. Washington state lawmakers approved the expansion of Medicaid in 2013, making us one of 28 states to do so. The result? Over half a million additional Washingtonians have now obtained health coverage.

Read more about Medicaid’s effectiveness in Washington state from our partners at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

And take a look at our recent analysis of the well-being of kids in Washington state, and in particular how Medicaid programs are making our kids healthier (per the KIDS COUNT 2015 Data Book).

Here’s to 50 successful years of Medicaid making people healthier!