Effect of SSI on Medicaid caseloads and expenditures

The 1972 Social Security Amendments replaced the Federal-State public assistance programs for the needy aged, blind, and disabled with the Federal supplemental security income (SSI) program. They also changed the automatic Medicaid eligibility provision under title XIX of the Social Security Act for the cash assistance population. This article provides information about recent changes in State Medicaid caseloads and payments following implementation of SSI and the possible effects of SSI on such changes. It does not appear that SSI was a significant factor in the Medicaid changes. The growth in Medicaid payments resulted primarily from expansion of medical services to include care in intermediate care facilities, inflation, and higher utilization of medical services.