And last but not least, there are some states who have in place what's called "Risk Pools", guaranteed health insurance for otherwise uninsurable people, ie: those with a pre-existing condition. They're usually expensive. This is how I got insurance, my risk pool in Oregon is managed by BCBS, and it is good coverage. But not cheap
HealthInsurance.org
http://www.healthinsurance.org/riskpoolinfo.html
Risk pools - affordable health insurance
for medically-uninsurable individuals
High-risk health insurance plans "risk pools" -- have become an important
safety net for individuals who are denied health insurance because of a medical condition. More than 250,000
enrollees in the 30 states which operate risk pools have been provided with comprehensive insurance protection since the first pools were started in 1976. Risk pools provide a vehicle for individuals who, because of their physical condition, are unable to purchase heath insurance at any price.
A risk pool is a state-created, nonprofit association that -- in most states -- does not require tax dollars for its operational purposes. The risk pools are a temporary stopping point for individuals who are denied health insurance for medical reasons. Risk pools often help individuals fill a gap in insurance coverage