COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? (Tampa)

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky.

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

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