COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - 11 months and counting

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a software tester. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky. How did you decide?

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.