Health insurance premiums are rising faster than wages, causing affordability issues for many, especially middle-class families ineligible for subsidies. Premiums now consume 15% of household income, with deductibles increasing even faster, limiting actual coverage. Insurers narrow drug formularies and restrict mental health benefits, while administrative burdens delay care. Strategies include maximizing Health Savings Accounts, comparing plans, and exploring assistance programs. The system's profit-driven model fuels ongoing cost and access problems.