Final answer:
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society programs, providing healthcare to the elderly, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities, thus expanding the role of the federal government in the social safety net.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicare and Medicaid were created as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" campaign and the Great Society programs initiative in 1965. These programs were developed to provide healthcare to specific groups of Americans; Medicare is for seniors and those who are eligible for Social Security, while Medicaid serves low-income individuals, with a focus on families with children, the elderly, and the disabled. Both programs were part of the Social Security Act of 1965 and significantly expanded the federal government's role in offering a social safety net, with state and local governments partnering in their administration.
The creation of Medicare and Medicaid marked a considerable expansion of government involvement in healthcare. Medicare, a federal health insurance program, ensures coverage for individuals over 65 years old, as well as other eligible persons, while Medicaid is a joint program with state and federal responsibilities, where states manage benefits and eligibility with federal support. These programs established a foundational provision of healthcare, aimed to address the needs of vulnerable populations in America.