At a cost of $4.9 billion per year, California provides more than Medicare to retired state employees and under terms far more generous than other states:
The beneficiaries (eg, retired prison guards, legislative staff and their families) receive subsidies not only when they have Medicare or ACA coverage but even if they have new jobs.
Per page 135 of the state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the Legislature may amend the terms under which retired employees receive insurance subsidies.
