[kerkeslager]

That doesn't solve the problem. More than half of bankruptcies caused by medical expenses in the US are people who have medical insurance.

Further, medical insurance makes it impossible to live cheaply in the US. I make do with very few possessions, humble housing, and little spending. Health insurance accounts for about half my expenses, more than the next three largest expenses (rent, food, car insurance) combined. I'm probably going to move into a van at some point in the next year, at which point health insurance will be around 2/3 of my expenses.

If health insurance is 2/3 of your expenses, that means that you can be retired for 1/3 as long. And that's health insurance if I never get sick--healthcare costs a lot more if you do get sick. Granted, I would eventually qualify for medicare at which point that expense would come down.

[ac29]

Health insurance subsidies kick in at when insurance costs over 9.5% of income, unless you make over ~$50k/year. I'm not entirely sure how insurance could be 1/2 to 2/3 of your expenses, unless you are saving 90% of your income.

[kerkeslager]

I'm really not sure where you're getting your math. I think you're conflating net (post-tax) income with gross (pre-tax) income, but the numbers you're saying don't add up even with that assumption, so I'm really not sure what mistake you've made or how to correct it.

My monthly breakdown is (VERY) roughly: 45% taxes, 15% health insurance, 10% rent, 5% other required stuff (food/utilities/other insurances). The remaining 25% mostly goes to savings/retirement, but sometimes not, depending on variances in expenses and if I decide to buy some big ticket item. When I do spend money it's usually on experiences (trips/concerts mostly) rather than buying things.

I make more than $50K/year. If you make enough money to pay the full cost of health insurance, and you live frugally on your other expenses, it would be quite easy for health insurance to be half your expenses.

[jacquesm]

You could move.