An interesting stat in California is that a 1/3 of the state population is on Medi-cal (our states form of Medicaid). All of them are getting subsidies through the Covered California system. California is definitely a welfare state.
As an employee of an HMO I can tell you caring for these patients is a losing proposition. At best we try to break even by abiding the Meaningful Use requirements by the government. If you want to know about MU just know its all about collecting data. The government dangles a carrot of money to hosptials to provide the data in order to get paid.
In my opinion here in Cali most people work under the table and fly under the radar so they can keep their Medi-cal coverage. I ain't mad at it tho, they are doing what they need to do to get ahead. I could never move like that but thats just me.