For nearly 60 years, Medicaid has played an essential role in the U.S. health care system. Medicaid/CHIP now provide health coverage for more than 90 million people, including one in four children, 40 percent of all births, and more than 60 percent of nursing home residents. Since its inception in 1965, Medicaid has continued to evolve and grow significantly.

This Medicaid timeline tracks key milestones, preceding the Social Security Act Amendments and beyond. It was produced for the Center for Health Care Strategies’ Medicaid Leadership Institute and Medicaid Academies.