Stepping into the new year, women are carrying a lot: caring for children, family, work, community—and still trying to protect their own health in a system that often feels unaffordable.Many are going without insurance because premiums are out of reach, but there are concrete, reasonable steps to get medical care and medications without full traditional coverage. Naming the reality: In the U.S., millions of women in their prime working and caregiving years remain uninsured, often skipping preventive care and necessary medicines because of cost.Some actually qualify for free or discounted coverage (like Medicaid or subsidized marketplace plans) but are not enrolled due to confusion, paperwork, or assumptions about ineligibility.This blog is for the woman who is doing everything for everyone else and quietly thinking, “I cannot afford to get sick.” Here are doable routes to preserve health, get meds, and access care even without standard insurance. First line: public programs worth a second look Even if past applications were denied, circumstances or rules may have changed. A fresh check each year can open doors.Medicaid and CHIP (for moms and kids)Many low-income women and children qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), sometimes even when adults in the household do not realize it.Pregnancy, postpartum status, and low income can expand eligibility, and some states offer extended postpartum coverage and prenatal/postnatal care through Medicaid or CHIP. ACA / marketplace plans with subsidies: The Affordable Care Act marketplace offers sliding-scale premium tax credits that can dramatically lower monthly costs for women whose incomes fall within specific ranges.Some uninsured women fall into a “coverage gap” in states that did not expand Medicaid, but others qualify for subsidized plans and simply have not enrolled because of confusion or complexity.If you’re unemployed or between jobsDedicated federal guidance exists for people who are unemployed and trying to find coverage, including marketplace plans and possible Medicaid eligibility.Loss of employer insurance is usually a “qualifying life event,” which allows enrollment outside the usual open enrollment window.