encyclopedia of adoption

Medicaid

Medical assistance program for individuals categorically eligible for public assistance, including low-income pregnant women, low-income parents with dependents (both are eligible under Temporary Aid to Needy Families [TANF]) and other categories. The program is funded with both federal and state money and originated with the 1965 amendments to the Social Security Act (Title XIX). It was also referenced in the ADOPTION AND SAFE FAMILIES ACT because children need services Medicaid pays for.

Adoptive parents of children with special needs are eligible to receive Medicaid for their adopted children. Problems have arisen when a Medicaid card was issued to a child in one state and the parents then moved to another state or when the child was adopted by parents from another state. Many of these problems have been resolved by issuing the parent a card from the state in which he or she lives; however, problems still occur. (See also INTERSTATE ADOPTION; INTERSTATE COMPACT ON THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN.)

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