In recent years, health care has become a gradually increasing issue in America. The American government's health plans, Medicare and Medicaid, are criticized as horrible and expensive compared to health plans in other countries. Therefore, our current president, President Obama, is relentlessly trying to repair plans to conform to the wishes of the nation he leads. First of all, Medicare and Medicaid are somewhat similar, but they have some, slight differences. Both Medicaid and Medicare were founded in 1965 as part of the Social Security Act Amendment. Medicaid provides assistance to those who are unable to pay for their own medical insurance, including: "low-income persons, children, disabled people, the elderly, pregnant women living below the federal poverty level, and those eligible for receive federal income assistance”. Medicaid is also funded by both the federal government and each individual state (whatismaid.com). Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers three groups of people: the elderly, the disabled 65 and people with end-stage renal disease (life.familyeducation.com) Two things both plans have in common, though, are the criticism they receive for being expensive and not offering enough benefits made up of two parts, Part A and Part B. Part B covers various medical insurance expenses, such as doctor services, supplies, and outpatient hospital services. However, with this coverage comes a $100 deductible and 20% of the bill that the client must pay (life.familyeducation.com). When you realize that medical bills reach into the tens of thousands, 20% can be very expensive. For example, if... middle of the paper... How it works (and doesn't work)." California Registry - Senior Housing Locator and Counseling. Web. September 10, 2009. .Obama, Barack H. "Healthcare Reform." Capitol Hill, Washington, September 9, 2009. Address. “The United States Has the Best Healthcare System in the World.” Tom Huppi Web. September 10, 2009. “You Will Lose 5 Fundamental Freedoms with Obama's Health Care Plan – July 24, 2009 ." Business, Finance and Personal News - CNNMoney.com September 10, 2009. "YouTube - Large National Health Systems: Germany, Japan, Taiwan".. 2009. .