It is not only the working man that are getting pounded some years I paid more than 10% of my income to self insure, I can't imagine the burden that a $50,000 self employed accountant, RE sales person or whatever that is because the rates are not based on income.

IMOHO health systems should follow the government contractor protocol and law, that being they cannot charge an uninsured group more than their lowest rate allowed for anyone else. Fixing the system will make it somewhat more affordable and will ultimately increase the profits because people will have the ability to pay the bill in lieu of bankruptcy.

Example:

The lowest amount paid for X to HMO Y is the rate that an emergency patient will pay.