As it stands now – the future is HSA+HDHP for everyone. Some will get there earlier, some will get there later. But eventually that is where we all will be! That is all we can afford as a society.

I am not sure if following cost lowering alternatives were ever considered.

[1] Offer catastrophic only coverage at affordable rates through govt. for uninsured.
Not sure why everyone is so fixated on covering every single illness to the uninsured on taxpayer dime.

[2] If you ever use a ER without paying for it – govt. will reimburse the hospital at medicare rate and records it with IRS as a debt to be collected from your SSN.