California may impose a lien on a MediCal recipient’s suit against a third party for injuries that were treated with services paid for by MediCal. The federal Medicare Act and implementing regulations do not preempt state law in this respect. However, if the recipient settles his claim with the third party defendant, the MediCal lien reaches only the amounts paid for past medical expenses. If the settlement is not allocated by the parties in a manner segregating the amount paid for past medical expenses, the judge must equitably allocate the settlement, allowing the state to recover only the amount that the judge allocates to part medical expenses.