A program mandated by law as part of the Medicaid program. The law (section 1905(a)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act) requires that by July 1 , 1969, all States have in effect a program for eligible children under age 21 “to ascertain their physical or mental defects, and such health care, treatment, and other measures to correct or ameliorate defects and chronic conditions discovered thereby, as may be provided in regulations of the Secretary.” Issuance of regulations implementing the program was delayed until November, 1971, and States were allowed to phase in their programs by age groups until July 1, 1973. By law (section 403(g) of the Social Security Act), States which do not have a program in effect in any fiscal quarter after June 30, 1974, for all children in families receiving AFDC payments are subject to a financial penalty. The State programs are not just to pay for services but also to have an active outreach component to inform eligible persons of the benefits available to them, actively to bring them into care so that they can be screened, and, if necessary, to assist them in obtaining appropriate treatment. EPSDT should properly refer only to programs which have all of these elements.