there are penalties for people who don't buy coverage but there is also financial assistance to help people with low incomes pay for insurance so it becomes affordable. i suggest you and your father begin to explore what's available on healthcare. gov. if financial assistance available under the law still leaves coverage too expensive for you there are exemptions available. you can find out more on healthcare. gov.
my father is currently unemployed and can't afford health insurance at this time. from what i have read there will be a penalty imposed on him for not applying. is there anything he can do to prevent this penalty?