COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? after 16 years as a welding apprentice

The COBRA quote for my family is $1200 a month and I do not know how to afford it. This is my first time dealing with any of this. I saw that marketplace plans might cost less. Did anyone switch mid-year?

Check what the notice says about the election period and when coverage starts. Mine allowed a short window to choose.