Christine, my understanding of COBRA is that they can only lawfully charge 105% of the original premium. I am amazed that you don't have great coverage as a teacher. I was a classified employee for a school district for several years and the one thing they didn't scrimp on was health insurance coverage. We had a choice of 3 different health plans. You can always reduce your premium costs with higher co-pays. If you and the kids are really healthy you may be able to find a plan as low as $400.00/mo but with a $50.00 co-pay. It probably wouldn't hurt to talk to a broker and see what they do for you.

My wife and I are paying around $1,000.00/mo. for medical coverage (we have a $5.00 co-pay) it has vision and dental also. We are both self employed.