What can regular Americans who are fed up with their health insurance do about it?

[u/pandapower63]

I’ve written my elected officials in government. What else can we do? It’s depressing and it’s wrong. That people can’t get healthcare easily and affordably. People are dying early because they don’t get the care they need.

[u/phil161]

"Nothing" is a bit pessimistic. I think changes will have to come from both sides: 1) the government/private sector, and 2) the individuals.

From the "individual" side: other posters suggested voting and organizing. In addition, we can also learn to take better care of ourselves. I work in the medical field and have contact with patients every day. It amazes me how many folks ignore basic health maintenance; we check the fluids in our car, tire pressure, etc (or at least I hope we do). By the same token we should pay more attention to our body: be active within our limits, watch what we eat, don't drink excessively, don't smoke, etc... Of course there are accidents, health conditions and diseases which can strike us out of the blue, but many of the ailments that I see every day can be prevented or mitigated with a modicum of self-care.

I once saw a bumper sticker - sad, but true: The best insurance policy ? Don't get sick.

[u/Postcrapitalism → u/phil161]

Ok but a quick Google search reveals Americans are far from the most alcoholic people. And we're not even remotely close to the top of nicotine consumption. The only detrimental health choice we really lead seems to be obesity, and at least part of that reflects policy failures that have made unhealthy food vastly easier and cheaper to obtain.

Working in healthcare doesn't give you a good overview of our national health situation. On the contrary, it gives you a very warped view. An STD clinic is going to see more people engaging in reckless sex than you'd see in a random sample of the population. An internal medicine office will see more diabetics. And diabetics who don't take care of themselves will present more often, and with more distressing symptoms than typical diabetics. It doesn't mean that the typical American is out here having condomless sex with strangers before satiating their thirst with a gallon of sweet tea.

Best insurance policy? Don't get sick

Respectfully, if you think it's as easy as people should just "not get sick" you have no business working in healthcare. People are out here dying for the convenience of moneyed elites. We deserve better than "just lose weight".

[u/MrsB6 → u/Postcrapitalism]

America also has the worst food on the planet, which most people are consuming. Everything is laden with sugar and chemicals, even the same foods in other countries are made with less crap in them because those countries don't allow it. America loves "freedom to choose" but those choices are literally what's killing them.

[u/sparklyvenus → u/phil161]

Blaming the victim for the corporate greed that has put healthcare out of reach for so many Americans.