Too bad you couldn't make it @Nick LeRoy. I feel like I get to shake your hand once at an event and thats all ????
We talked about those options too. Some suggested (or may have, not sure) get a part time job for benefits.
My point on that is while it is a route, if you can spend that amount of time you're giving up that much in billable so solving for insurance is actually solving for money,as long as you bill more on your own for those hours.
I know one person who is in one of those cost sharing programs and it's been good for them. I have heard from (and in that round table) that since they aren't insurers, they aren't regulated and that can lead to some issues.
Tagging @Dave Coppedge in case he's interested since he was there too.
Just seems like a common freelance / small entity pain point and there has to be something better available, but the challenge of cross-state borders is likely a big factor.