But don't they charge more for a pre-existing condition?

That I do not know - the only thing I know is that they charge you more based on how old you are.

So far as 60% of COBRA costs, that could still be a lot of money for a family of 4.

I have no idea. What I do know is that I have never lived beyond my means - even when I was a poor college student struggling to work my way through school. Even back then, I always paid myself first, which meant I always had some money in a savings account. I have never been in debt. If I can do it, so can anyone else. Why should I have to pay for the mistakes of people who can't behave in a fiscally responsible manner? All these bail outs simply reward bad behavior and punish those of us who have behaved responsibly.