[wwweston]

> For an 'average' person/family, health insurance shouldn't be breaking the bank (e.g. $200-300 per month).

Let's play dueling anecdotes.

$300 a month was right around the cost of my COBRA premium for a group plan covering myself only, circa 2006.

$150 a month was what I paid as for an individual plan in my mid 20s circa 1998, and that was for a plan with relatively spare coverage and high deductibles. Perfectly healthy (arguably above average), living in a community that was also arguably above national averages for health statistics and below national average living costs.

I'm very skeptical of the truth of any claim that one could cover a family at $300 a month. Especially in 2013.

Heck, I'm somewhat skeptical that there are people out there nowadays who've been able to buy reasonable coverage on the individual market at all. I know people who don't have to worry much about money but who've still found it a hassle to get insured.

[chadcf]

You can, but it's going to be a high deductible plan. I just did a quick search on e-healthinsurance, for a family of 4 with 2 kids I could get coverage for $265 a month. Of course, the catch is that has a $7500 deductible and then 30% co-insurance after that... At $400 a month I could get a plan with a $10,000 deductible and then no co-insurance after that.