Introduction Medicare and Medicaid Federal social insurance programs were created as part of the Social Security Act Medicare Covers the elderly (65+ years) Also covers ESRD 2 main parts Part A pays the hospital Part B pays physicians Medicaid For low income people Federal and state components Hospice Care Hospice care providing comfort and palliation not a cure priority given to managing pain and comfort despite side effects of treatments e.g., opioids versus respiratory depression must have a life expectancy < 6 months