Medicare—
a Federal program which provides medical insurance for people over 65 and for
those who are permanently disabled. Contact your local Social Security Office for a copy of the
current Medicare handbook.
Medicaid— (Called MediCal in California) is funded jointly by state and federal governments
but administered by each state.
Medicaid provides medical assistance to low-income families and
individual of all ages participating in cash-assistance programs. Medicaid recipients usually do
not need private health insurance. Contact your local county Social Services Department for
eligibility requirements.