General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Screw the ACA [View all]still_one
(92,061 posts)and the Supreme Court you should be upset with for not being part of the expanded Medicaid program which is part of the ACA. It is because of your state and the supreme court why you are falling into that hole where you have a lot of company.
As an aside, You do know that Medicare Part B costs about 100 dollars a month, and most people under Medicare get a supplemental policy to cover what Part B doesn't, and that costs. The costs are more reasonable if they choose a Medicare Advantage plan, but it still costs.
If your premium exceed 8% of your income for the bronze plan you are exempted from the mandate, but that doesn't get you insurance. When you say 3600, you mean 300 dollars a month, and that is unaffordable based on your figures above.
Based on your situation if you want insurance in your state from your figures above, it looks like you need to earn about 3000 a year more. Because of your state refusing to expand Medicaid the ACA didn't account for that situation, again thanks to the supreme court, and you are left without insurance.
One more quick point, even with the deductibles you mentioned, there are some things that you are covered for and the deductibles do not apply. A yearly physical, vaccinations, and a couple of other things but it really isn't enough.
All the issues you bring up about single-payer, Medicare for all, etc. are what it should be, but because of the blue dog democrats, and all the republicans, the only thing that could be had at the time was the ACA, and frankly after the last election it isn't going to get better, unless your state expands Medicaid. If they do that, you should not need worry about an open enrollment, and you should be able to sign up right away. Unfortunately, Most of the states that refused to expand Medicaid do not look like they will change based on the republican wins that have occurred.
Other than making a little more money to qualify for the subsidy, changing jobs to a company that pays for health insurance, or going to another state which has expanded Medicaid, unfortunately you will be uninsured.
Sorry for your situation. Try to eat properly, exercise, and get plenty of rest so you don't get sick, and hope things change.
One thing you might consider is getting a flu shot. Yes, That will cost you a little, it should NOT cost more than 25 dollars, you can shop around a various drug stores which offer them now.
Good luck, and really sorry for your situation