I get a bit sick of the hyper-polarization of politics these days, particularly when someone has a very practical problem like wanting to leave the corporate world and is scared about his family's health well-being. Enough of you pulpit-pounding blowhards, on both sides.
Unlike most of these folks, I didn't really know about this myself, but are likewise interested in this for similar reasons to you - I hope to get out of the corporate world at some point in the next few years and had the same question. What I found was more encouraging than what many of these folks would have you believe. Unfortunately, I also found the the options appear quite regional, so my answer will only help you get looking at it for yourself, unless you happen to live in Texas, just like me.
Basically, it appears that in my state this issue was tackled by the state legislature, and they set-up a state-wide health insurance purchase pool for people who fall through the cracks in the current system (e.g. If you're eligible for company-insurance, you can't buy this). In has multiple deductible/co-insurance levels to choose from, and also has a prescription drug plan too. It's not too expensive, sounds about the same or less than what my company would pay for individual coverage for myself. If you have a local equivalent, this might be just what you're looking for...if you don't have too many dependents.
The other big findings I came across that is worthwhile were a battery of health insurance cooperatives whose existence was made possible by state legislation about 5 years back. Some examples of the types of coops this allowed for: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/health/lhcoopdefintyps.html
In short, I think if you do some research at the state and local levels, you might find similar programs for your area which would help. I know I feel much better about the prospects, now that I know there are better options for me in the future besides simple individual health insurance and all the risks that entails.
Slashdot Mirror
I get a bit sick of the hyper-polarization of politics these days, particularly when someone has a very practical problem like wanting to leave the corporate world and is scared about his family's health well-being. Enough of you pulpit-pounding blowhards, on both sides.
Unlike most of these folks, I didn't really know about this myself, but are likewise interested in this for similar reasons to you - I hope to get out of the corporate world at some point in the next few years and had the same question. What I found was more encouraging than what many of these folks would have you believe. Unfortunately, I also found the the options appear quite regional, so my answer will only help you get looking at it for yourself, unless you happen to live in Texas, just like me.
The most wonderful finding I came across, for Texas, was this: http://www.txhealthpool.com/
Basically, it appears that in my state this issue was tackled by the state legislature, and they set-up a state-wide health insurance purchase pool for people who fall through the cracks in the current system (e.g. If you're eligible for company-insurance, you can't buy this). In has multiple deductible/co-insurance levels to choose from, and also has a prescription drug plan too. It's not too expensive, sounds about the same or less than what my company would pay for individual coverage for myself. If you have a local equivalent, this might be just what you're looking for...if you don't have too many dependents.
The other big findings I came across that is worthwhile were a battery of health insurance cooperatives whose existence was made possible by state legislation about 5 years back. Some examples of the types of coops this allowed for: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/health/lhcoopdefintyps.html
In short, I think if you do some research at the state and local levels, you might find similar programs for your area which would help. I know I feel much better about the prospects, now that I know there are better options for me in the future besides simple individual health insurance and all the risks that entails.