Melanie Campbell Albuquerque created on Mon October 28, 2013

As a self-employed artist, I have always been able to afford health insurance, albeit a plan with a high deductible. I am a huge supporter of health care reform and am REALLY disappointed to find that my premium is going up by 50% under the Affordable Care Act. I earn too much to qualify for a subsidy and am too old for the "catastrophic" option, but I am by no means rich and I'm wondering why the self-employed are getting stuck with all the costs.

My provider explained that it was because I am part of a small pool. But why do we have to have different pools? Why do I need to pay nearly double what someone else pays just because I am not an employee? I am really healthy and only go to the doctor once in a blue moon.