COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? - any advice?

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a paralegal. This is my first time dealing with any of this. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky. Is the decision time really that tight?

I priced both side by side: total yearly cost, doctors in network and the deductible. Marketplace was cheaper for us, but only because our doctors were covered.

A quick call to the plan's member line cleared up two things for us that the letter did not.