When I lost my job in 2018 and had to pay for health insurance myself, even a relatively low tier plan would cost me upwards of 400+ a month while still leaving

When I lost my job in 2018 and had to pay for health insurance myself, even a relatively low tier plan would cost me upwards of 400+ a month while still leaving me on the hook for a majority of the bills if I got sick or injured. Thankfully the COBRA loophole meant I could avoid paying the costs if I ended up finding a job quickly, but during that period I was travelling with a check for the full amount of the insurance just in case. Now imagine that but far worse for someone who couldn't actually afford any of those costs.