When I left American Motors in 1987 the COBRA act was new and when they offered me extended coverage until the insurance on my new job kicked in I found out that the cost of the insurance was $550 per month. That was 15 years ago! We now carry private coverage and the rates have been raised three or four times in the last year and are at least 30% higher. My coverage is 10% of what I had 15 years ago for the same price.