Buy health insurance. When you're young, or even middle-aged like me, the cost is only a fraction of housing.

The problem here is that the very condition that needs treatment makes people seek excuses for not seeking help. This is why I advise leaning on friends - they won't look for excuses.

And by the way, the "open enrollment" period is open right now: https://www.google.com/search?q=health+care+plan+finder

In my experience, health insurance with affordable premiums has high enough deductibles that this sort of thing as the only ailment would be all out of pocket. I'm not saying your advice is wrong, just that for people struggling with financial stress, it is unfortunate that the advice is to spend a lot more money, whether it be in premiums or for services.