COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? after 15 years as an event coordinator

The COBRA quote for my family is $450 a month and I do not know how to afford it. I am in San Diego, in case local advice matters. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky.

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.

If you have a planned treatment, COBRA can make sense for a few months. Otherwise look at the marketplace first.