> buy insurance from your own pocket In other words, buy it on the market, like the GP said. With ACA subsidies, you'll never have to pay more than 8.5% of yo

> buy insurance from your own pocket In other words, buy it on the market, like the GP said. With ACA subsidies, you'll never have to pay more than 8.5% of your income in premiums for a mid-range plan. And that's in the worst case -- it'll typically be less (if you make less, you'll qualify for larger subsidies or free healthcare, and if you make more, the proportional cost of insurance premiums will be lower).