16 Del. Admin. Code § 13000-13110
In 1933, the Federal Relief Administration made funds available to states to pay for the medical expenses of the unemployed in need of medical care. When the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, it did not include any dollars specifically targeted for medical care. By the end of the 1930's, the Social Security Act had been amended to provide federal funds for medical care to specific segment of the population such as maternal and child health and aid to the aged.
The Social Security Act was amended in 1965 to include Medicare and Medicaid. The Medicaid program was created by Title XIX of the Social Security Act "for the purpose of enabling each State to furnish medical assistance on behalf of families with dependent children and of aged, blind or individuals with a disability whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the cost of necessary medical services...".
At its inception, the Medicaid program defined eligible groups and services that were mandated for coverage in order to receive any Federal funding. In addition, individual States could elect to cover a limited number of optional groups and services for which they would receive a federal match on State dollars. With the passage of years, the Federal government has expanded the pool of mandatory and optional groups and services for Medicaid coverage.
16 Del. Admin. Code § 13000-13110