I have had an ACA plan during two separate periods of time over the last decade and it was on the order of $400/month, with no consideration of pre-existing conditions. I've also had the opportunity for COBRA, which was too expensive, but still under $800.
I think you need to consider your age and zip code as well. I have a family member who is an insurance broker and she had to factor in age and zip code to give me quotes on insurance.
Yes, with ACA the government basically made it so health insurance premiums are a tax, and young people subsidize old people by capping old people’s premiums as a multiple of young people.
Of course, pricing will vary by zip code because healthcare providers cost different amounts in different places, so a rural area might be more expensive where there are fewer doctors who have more negotiating power versus in urban areas where there are more doctors competing.
Maybe the original anecdote was about a family plan. I interpreted it as not, but then reconsidered.
Currently, in an urban area of NY state where I am, a basic family plan is ~$1600 and an individual plan is ~$550.
You may say "what about the deductible", but it looks to me like the deductible is effectively only a payment plan. Even if you have a chronic condition, and you know you will go through the deductible for sure, you don't gain anything by paying for a lower deductible. The deductible is nowhere near the difference between $1600 and $4000 anyway.
Where do you get your "information"?