It’s just not going to pencil out for anyone who gets a subsidy from their employer, and that’s a majority of the folks in the country and on this list. It’s also not going to work for anyone with a lower cost plan:

As discussed above, after 8 years, I’m at maybe $12k total payment & interest. With kids, my premium will go up to about $3k a year, but I wouldn’t reach $100k for a couple decades. That just doesn’t make any sense if y’know, someone gets sick between then and now.

In my case, I used an HMO when it was just me, and a PPO for the family plan, which (according to my employer) costs them $4000/yr and $13000/yr respectively. Even paying 100% out of pocket, it’s not $1500/month, and a lot less if I’m just covering me.

Regarding your question of self-insurance being allowed under the new law: I’m fine with that. Now that the legal framework exists, just add it to the 2010 update of the bill: Post a $XXX bond, and we’ll waive the requirement. The precedent exists for auto insurance bonds. Why didn’t it get into the bill the first time? Perhaps because the Repubs were unwilling to work toward a compromise, so the Dems had to fashion a bill that would get all 60 senate votes and 85% of Dem House votes instead of negotiating with a wider pool. I think we’d be looking at a better law if the Repubs were willing to play ball, rather than fear mongering.