In a recent article, I reported and discussed the lackluster - basically non-existent - results of the Utah Health Exchange. As a critic has pointed out, I used to be much more accomodating of the Utah exchange. However, Utah's experience demonstrates why unsubsidized exchanges are unlikely to attract significant numbers of beneficiaries from the small-group market.

Last year a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that California welfare “clients” were using their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to spend millions at Las Vegas casinos and on cruise ships to hardship destinations such as Rio de Janeiro. Working Californians will be interested to know what the state did to counter this fraud, and abuse of welfare in general.