In the United States, the federal government has primary responsibility for defense, public old-age pensions (Social Security), and health care for the elderly (Medicare); sub-national governments are responsible for education and law enforcement. Health care for the poor (Medicaid) is a shared responsibility.
在美国，联邦政府主管国防、公共养老金（ Social Security ）、老年医疗保健（ Medicare ），次国家政府负责教育和执法；同时，贫困人口医疗保健由二者一同承担。配对基金由联邦政府按计划下拨至州以及地方政府，明确了二者的共同权责，但次国家政府仅享有部分自由决断权。