Health care costs were going up 8 to 10 0% a year for many years.... Before they blew up the economy, how to regulate Heath Care was the major issue in the election for both Ds and Rs.

Hospitals and the system pay for the uninsured ... One of the ACA's solutions was to expand Medicaid... If your state refuses to take the money... you get hit by a double wammy. Same number of uninsured that the system will have to pay for... AND they cut off the Fed medicaid uninsured payment that paid for it in the past. So... your insurance company raises the rates to pay for it. Tell your gov to take the medicare expansion... your rates will stabilize.

Prior to the ACA.... you pay the insurance company or go without. Now, you have four choices. Pay the company, or you can buy a high deductible policy on the federal insurance exchange for much less money ... or See if the comparable federal exchange group rate is better then your small group rate plan that you have now (same insurance company... different group plan) ... Or pay the fine.

The most dangerous thing you said was wait and see if i get sick... then buy something.. Huge mistake... just like your current insurance... they still have an open season... You have to enroll or change during open season. You can't wait till you need it... You will pay the fine... get treated and still owe the bills... Sure, the next open season will come up in a year and then let you purchase a plan, irrespective of your pre existing condition... but the past bills don't go away.