The linked article specifically mentions that the CC safety net is fraying as well - costs for middle class income brackets range 11% to 22% instead of 16% to 4

The linked article specifically mentions that the CC safety net is fraying as well - costs for middle class income brackets range 11% to 22% instead of 16% to 45% (across various other options and states; unfortunately all 8 states mentioned are different so no direct comparisons). So yeah, they are cheaper but not all of them necessarily offer the same discount your anecdote provides.