 [ Symptoms ] my father is currently unemployed and can not 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 [ Disease ] there are penalties for people who do not 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 is 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