Although Medicaid is a program intended for those with low income, a low income is not the only requirement to enroll in the program. Medicaid does not provide medical assistance for all poor persons, and it is important to realize that low income is only one test for Medicaid eligibility. Eligibility is categorical. One must be a member of a category defined by statute; some of these categories include: low income children below a certain wage, pregnant women, parents of Medicaid-eligible children who meet certain income requirements, and low income seniors. Many states have actually expanded their eligibility to include low income adults without dependent children. Medicaid also looks in to an individual’s resources. The first step in determining
