patrick.net

CL says

How did they work exactly? Who paid for the "winners", and what happened to the losers? Were the people selected at random?

We've had at least one thread on Oregon's lottery.

"with no discernible improvement in [purported beneficiaries'] health."

"Researchers found no measurable health benefits in the Medicaid group for several chronic conditions, including hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes."

All taxpayers paid, a few "winners" were selected at random, though they were "winning" like Charlie Sheen, i.e. the purported beneficiaries did not benefit. But, spending (including emergency hospitalizations) increased, which is to say the lobbyists' revenues increased, so from their POV it was a huge success.