Medicaid is a vital program that supports millions of low-income individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Medicaid provides health insurance and long-term care to more than 1 in 5 people across the country. Medicaid is the source of health coverage for 50% of children with disabilities or medically complex conditions. In addition to health coverage, Medicaid enables 7.8 million people to live independently thanks to home and community-based services and is the primary funder of early intervention, and long-term services and supports.
In July 2025, the President signed into law a sweeping bill that will deliver significant cuts and fundamental changes to health insurance and Medicaid-funded programs. These services are the backbone of the disability community, and we are deeply concerned about the impact that this will have on individuals, families, providers, and the state budget. You can read our full analysis here.
This is a frightening moment. The Arc is here to help you understand this bill and engage in advocacy in Massachusetts. It is important to start by understanding what Medicaid is, what it funds, and how it works. This fact sheet aims to provide a basic overview of Medicaid and its vital services.
Note: the law that passed in July 2025 will be implemented over the course of the next decade. The law’s provisions have varying implementation dates but taken all together they will radically transform Medicaid as we know it. The information provided below is a summary of Medicaid as it currently stands in July 2025. We will make updates as things change.
