Haha... in a manner of speaking, it is. But, it has a whole lot of benefits and coverages that a "clean" catastrophic plan wouldn't have. And the governmment-created near monopolies in each state (US government regulates the benefits, forces pre-existing coverage of unknown future cost, private companies operate in each state with little competition) ensures high premiums.
My liberal aquaintances, who have been told by the TV and Social Media that anyone that dared to point out the TRUTH about what was coming was just a “Right-Wing Nutjob!”, are suddenly silent about this.
They are just now learning what it is going to cost them personally, but a few will NEVER admit they got played like chump little girls.
It would be too devastating to the sense of moral superiority they have for being “Liberal” and in “the Cool Kids Club!” as defined by the TV.