Love and Marriage… and Health Care?

Did you know that seven percent of Americans say they or someone in their household decided to tie the knot in the last year so they could receive healthcare benefits? Yes, a recent poll finds this to be true. An April 28, 2008 article by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, a Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, takes clear note of the fact that health care is now another reason to get married.

“Some people marry for love, some for companionship, and others for status or money. Now comes another reason to get hitched: health insurance.” The complete article can be viewed at:http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-health29apr29,0,5783636.story.

I can see the conversation now… “Honey, will you marry me so that we can share healthcare insurance?” At least they’ve got the in-sickness-and-in-health part down, right? In this election year at least 7 percent of the voters will no longer be concerned about the healthcare policies of Obama, Clinton or McCain … or will they?

And marriage has now been reduced to a new common denominator, or elevated to a new level of financial security.