Until my brother got his current job that includes medical insurance (his previous employer didn't offer it) he paid the fine because he couldn't afford the insurance for him and his wife. Even with the subsidy. And with her working full time (the county in which we live is the most expensive county in our state. On top of that we have to pay state income tax. Actually we are taxed on every dang thing you can think of so the paycheck doesn't go as far as it should, but I digress....) He now works for the local community college here in NC and they have good benefits with medical insurance premiums that are reasonable.

My mom has had private insurance for over a decade due to many health issues. When she went on the FL exchange to see about signing up with the ACA it was actually more expensive- even with the subsidies! And she would not have been able to stay with her primary care physician she's been with for the better part of 25 years. If she didn't have so many health issues that required quarterly visits just to make sure everything is in check, nevermind if she has to go to one of the specialists, she and my stepdad would pay the penalties. He goes to the VA if something is wrong, otherwise he pays the penalty for himself.

---