“Why wouldn’t they just wait to buy it once they actually need it?”
If they REALLY need it suddenly, it may be too late. Affordable Care Act sets limited times for enrollment, just a few months per year. This opening phase is the exception, allowing longer enrollment times. After this year, the time frame for enrollment is narrowed to just a couple of months per year. If people don’t enroll during those times, they are without coverage for the entire (following) year.
At least that’s my understanding from reading Kaiser and other articles on the ACA.
Couldn’t they just avoid the Obamacare website completely and sign up with a regular ins carrier once they’re sick as no pre exist conditions matter?