Pre-tax vs post-tax is only relevant if you have taxable income, which isn't the case for "quitting work to do a startup".
I've got a suspicion that few of you have actually run the numbers, so I'll help.
I'm over 50, male, unmarried, and in San Jose and my reasonably comprehensive plan cost $325/month.
If you're 20-30, you could get the same for significantly less, and you'd be adequately served by a somewhat lesser plan. (I'd have a lesser plan if I was younger.) If you're somewhere else (not SF), or are married or female, you can do better.
Note that $325/month is significantly less than rent.
Health insurance actually isn't a significant obstacle for the vast majority.
I've got a suspicion that few of you have actually run the numbers, so I'll help.
I'm over 50, male, unmarried, and in San Jose and my reasonably comprehensive plan cost $325/month.
If you're 20-30, you could get the same for significantly less, and you'd be adequately served by a somewhat lesser plan. (I'd have a lesser plan if I was younger.) If you're somewhere else (not SF), or are married or female, you can do better.
Note that $325/month is significantly less than rent.
Health insurance actually isn't a significant obstacle for the vast majority.