COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? (update)

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 12 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

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