[waterphone]

Not the OP, but I don't have insurance because I can't afford it. Furthermore, attempts to use Healthcare.gov to try and even start an application process did and continue to fail because I don't have a credit history and therefore do not exist in their system and hit a roadblock. I cannot sign up for Medicaid in my state either for the same reason.

And while it may be technically mandatory, I have so far fallen below the income level that requires it and so haven't yet been fined for being unable to afford it. I almost did this year, but managed to request an exemption because there were no plans in my area below the necessary price threshold. And even if I were fined, paying the fine is easier and cheaper than dealing with actually getting a (very shitty) plan.

[DrScump]

<application process did and continue to fail because I don't have a credit history>

You don't need to have a credit history to get Medicaid. Heck, a complete lack of one may work in your favor.

In CA, you don't even have to be here legally to get Medicaid (MediCal) now.

[waterphone]

In Arizona, a credit history is part of their verification process, same as Healthcare.gov. Because I don't have a credit history, I don't exist in the system and therefore any application attempt fails at the "cannot verify your identity" stage and offers no path for recourse.

Edit: Not directly related to the main topic, but Amazon Payments also uses Experian—same as Arizona medicaid and Healthcare.gov—for identity verification, and if you don't have a credit history you get permabanned without explanation from continuing to use Amazon Payments. After asking them why several times, they block you from contacting their support again. Worst customer experience I've ever had with a major company, especially Amazon which is usually quite fantastic to deal with as a customer.

[ck2]

26 states refused to expand medicaid which was a critical part of Obamacare's plan to get everyone insurance.

So it is very possible to make too little to get insurance outright and too much to get medicaid. In fact there are many millions of people in that boat in 2016. Apparently we are illegal human beings, walking around without insurance.