In a recent poll by Kaiser Family Foundation, 7% of Americans said they decided to marry so they could get health insurance benefits via their spouse. It shows how paying for health insurance is reflected not only in family budgets but in life decisions.
On a broader scale, the survey found that health insurance costs outranked housing costs, rising food prices and credit card bills as a source of concern. Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed said they had experienced serious problems because of the cost of health insurance benefits, compared with 29% who had problems getting a good job or a raise. Gasoline prices were the top economic worry, with 44% saying they had serious problems keeping up with increases at the pump.
A companion poll also detected an important shift among voters: Independents in particular say they are more concerned about reducing medical costs than about increasing the number of Americans with health insurance.
Some people marry for love, some for companionship, and others for …health insurance. Would you marry for health care?
