Advocacy Enhancing Medicaid

Medicaid and a Strong Safety Net

Public health insurance programs such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are the foundation of our nation's safety net and provide necessary health care services to working families, children, the elderly and the disabled, many of whom would be uninsured in the absence of a strong and vital Medicaid program. Medicaid provides health coverage for more than 70 million individuals and is also a major source of financing for long-term care and a primary funding source for America's safety net institutions, including many Catholic hospitals and nursing homes that serve a disproportionate share of the low-income, uninsured and underinsured in their communities every day.

Preserving and strengthening programs like Medicaid is just one facet of the Catholic health ministry's mission and an important step in working toward a future of accessible and affordable health care for all. For more information, see the related documents under Medicaid Communications and the policy brief  Enhancing Medicaid and Ensuring a Strong Safety Net.