In recent years, health care has become a gradually raised issue in America. The U.S. government's health care plans, Medicare and Medicaid, are criticized as horrible and expensive compared to health care plans in other countries. So our current president, President Obama, is tirelessly trying to fix the plans to make them consistent with the wishes of the nation he leads. First of all, Medicare and Medicaid are somewhat similar, but have some slight differences. Medicaid and Medicare were founded in 1965 as part of the Social Security Act amendment. Medicaid provides care to those who are unable to pay for their own health insurance, including: "low-income people, children, disabled people, elderly people, pregnant women living below the federal poverty line, and those who are eligible to receive federal income assistance.” Medicaid is also funded by both the federal government and individual states (whatismedicaid.com). Medicare is a federal health insurance program that serves three groups of people: older adults, disabled people under age 65, and people with end-stage renal disease (life.familyeducation.com). However, two things both plans have in common are the criticism they receive for being expensive and not offering enough benefits. For example, Medicare has two parts, Part A and Part B. Part B covers various medical insurance expenses, such as physician services, supplies, and outpatient hospital services. However, this coverage comes with a $100 deductible and 20% of the bill that the customer must pay (life.familyeducation.com). When you realize that medical costs can run into the tens of thousands, 20 percent can be very expensive. For example, if you... in the middle of a sheet of paper... How it works (and doesn't work). " California Registry - Senior Housing Locator and Counseling. Web. September 10, 2009. Obama, Barack H. “Health Care Reform,” Capitol Hill, Washington, September 9, 2009. Speech: “The United States has the best health care system to the world. » Tom Huppi Web. September 10, 2009. "You'll Lose 5 Key Freedoms Under Obama's Health Care Plan - July 24, 2009." . "YouTube - Large national health systems: Germany, Japan, Taiwan YouTube - Broadcast yourself on the web.".. 2009. .