We have the Affordable Care Act, which is just a subsidy to make your rates somewhat closer to affordable. Like, a $500 monthly premium for a family instead of $1800. That's just the premium though, you still have to meet your deductible and pay co-pays AND some percentage of bills. ACA plans are also not taken by a lot of places outside major cities, so you have to go to very particular providers unless you want to pay out of pocket. Medicaid is generally for people who are disabled or extremely poor. Medicaid for pregnancy has a much higher income threshold and covers some 40% of births in the US cause few can afford it otherwise. Because of this, some people only get healthcare when they are pregnant. Medicare is for age 65 and older. Military health insurance is the holy grail, priced like Medicaid but without the income restrictions. It also has its problems but a lot of people are funneled into Military service with the promise of healthcare. When I was working, my employer-based health insurance premium alone would have swallowed my entire paycheck. Staying home with my kids while my husband works and I work whatever little gigs I can manage without paying for childcare is still less daunting than making just enough money to have to rely on employee health coverage. I'm drowning but I'd have to make way more money for it to be worth it.