COBRA quote is huge, any alternatives? - what worked for you?

The COBRA quote for my family is $650 a month and I do not know how to afford it. It has been weighing on me all week. 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.

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