In my case, my premiums remained stable. In fact, two times they dropped. And then ACA took affect. Perhaps worth noting, my plan remained unchanged, it passed ACA muster exactly as it was. Further irony, I always kept what was (past tense) a high deductable-which used to create shock & we in the doctors office. (Not any more it doesn't btw!) I looked at the monthly costs, what I spent a year on average, and figured that I needed insurance coverage for catastrophic events, such as a car accident or devastating illness. I knew I could pay a deductable but not 6 digits in care/treatment costs.

So there we go. Now what do we do? 
*There is no such thing as Free, somebody pays. 
*There is such a thing as free market competition-so opening up across state lines is a first right step there.

And here we go :( re the rest.