18 months ago I quit my job and became a full time webmaster. I rode out the cobra coverage for 6 months then was left standing there wondering where the hell to get insurance. The HR lady at my old consulting firm told me the same thing you're saying, get your coverage under a group plan or you're going to get bent over.
Turns out my personal trainer had his insurance through Costco, which has a small business plan. Since Jim was talking about a company that only covers a couple states in the northeast, I thought I'd post a link to Costco's plan as it only covers some states on the west coast.
http://www.costco.com/Service/Featur...uctNo=10166086
Thankfully, we haven't had to test any of the financial limitations but they have been great.
And seeing your post Jim, really puts that $550/month I pay for myself and my wife into perspective. This month it will sting quite a bit less to pay that.
My best wishes to your wife, it's quite a fortunate day & age we live in where people beat cancer all the time. Do keep your chin up.