I read the most remarkable story in a local community newspaper here in Seattle. It's about a woman who opted out of her healthcare coverage.  Instead, she created her own "personal Universal Healthcare Plan."  In her own words,

I walked away from the health insurance industry one year ago after realizing that it was causing me more stress than security. Homeless, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and uterine fibroids, and living below poverty level, I called the Department of Social and Health Services and requested they cancel my assistance. The surprising result, I felt better.

There's a lot of argument here in the U.S. about reforming our healthcare system.  Here's a woman who's not waiting for it. Her personal plan even included a version of a personal savings account.

The first thing I did was create my own Future Wellness Fund, similar to the tax-exempt Health Savings Account (HSA) that the federal government gives only to those with health insurance to be used for future health care needs. Instead of directing funds into insurance premiums, I place them in my wellness account, where 100 percent of my contributions go toward my health care needs. This skill of financial planning and investment gives me a sense of security that I used to get from health insurance companies.

In addition to her Wellness fund, she's used "no-interest small credit lending, health care sponsorships, and the fair bartering of my personal skills and information. "  In short, she's used an incredible amount of ingenuity to craft a plan that meets her needs.  This is one of the most personal, original perspectives on healthcare that I've ever read.