> For an 'average' person/family, health insurance shouldn't be breaking the bank (e.g. $200-300 per month).
Let's play dueling anecdotes.
$300 a month was right around the cost of my COBRA premium for a group plan covering myself only, circa 2006.
$150 a month was what I paid as for an individual plan in my mid 20s circa 1998, and that was for a plan with relatively spare coverage and high deductibles. Perfectly healthy (arguably above average), living in a community that was also arguably above national averages for health statistics and below national average living costs.
I'm very skeptical of the truth of any claim that one could cover a family at $300 a month. Especially in 2013.
Heck, I'm somewhat skeptical that there are people out there nowadays who've been able to buy reasonable coverage on the individual market at all. I know people who don't have to worry much about money but who've still found it a hassle to get insured.