They were randomly chosen from data of the U.S.government's medical assistance program for the elderly,called Medicare.

VOA: standard.2010.03.07

Additionally, Bluffton Self Help provided families with short-term emergency financial assistance toward housing and utility assistance, medical assistance, or children's program assistance.

WHITEHOUSE: 2012 Citizens Medal: Open for Nominations

Rubin did get Medicaid, state medical assistance, but none of his doctors belonged to the program.

NPR: MS Patient Falls Into American Insurance Gap

Recipients who work and receive minimal assistance will be allowed to opt out of the welfare program, yet still be eligible for medical care under Medi-Cal (the state's version of Medicaid) and child care.

CNN: AllPolitics - Welfare Reform - California