unfortunately your state is among those not expanding its medicaid program -- given your financial situation you most likely would have qualified. but you may qualify for deeply discounted health insurance through the marketplace so i urge you to shop (head to healthcare. gov). if it turns out the lowest cost plan available to you amounts to more than 8% of your income you will not be held responsible for having coverage and will not pay a penalty.
i've noticed the jobs we have where i live have cut hours or hired temporary workers so not to cover health insurance. . i do not have insurance due to this and am lucky if i work 10 hours a week. yet i don't qualify for medicaid either because i'm not under 21 or pregnant. i looked at the offers online and with bills i see i can't afford that either. i'm very confused at this and don't believe i should be fined on my taxes for something i don't know how to fix. can you please explain and help me? i am in west tennessee.