And that, THAT, is precisely the point.  COBRA is only a couple percentage points above what the company providing the health insurance ACTUALLY PAYS.  You must have had a pretty decent plan.  To get a comparable plan out in today's market on your own, it will likely cost you AT LEAST the $1900/mo asked for the COBRA payment -- or more -- and that is only if you and all members of your family are in optimum health with no pre-existing conditions (except children, who can't be denied for pre-existing conditions anymore).  

Some conservatives have their heads in the sand -- the biggest healthecare problem we face as a nation is not whether or not we are all forced to purchase health insurance, it is that the true cost of healthcare is outside the reach of the incomes of a huge number of Americans.  The poor can't pay for their own healthcare costs.  Most of the middle-class cannot pay the true costs for their own healthcare, either.  

I spoke with a conservative a few months back that said something brilliant.  He said that what needed to happen was that everyone gets healthcare coverage and everyone pays in.  I am a liberal, and I agree.