I've been sitting here this morning, reading an article about couples who have their decisions to marry or divorce influenced by health insurance. I know it sounds aweful and seems like it cheapens marriage or that it's cheating the system to divorce for health coverage, but don't judge until you've been there. One of the couples interviewed lives in Noblesville, just 45 minutes away from me.
One of my biggest concerns when deciding to divorce was the fact that I was self-employed and would be without health insurance. I've let health concerns go for a very long time now, and now I've got a lot to deal with. I was in so much pain that last October I was unable to keep my daycare open any more. I found out I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and cronic fatigue syndrome. I am taking probably $700-$1000 a month in medication that makes me dizzy, sick to my stomach, and even more fatigued.
Financially, I'm a mess. I'm living on a shoestring that is too little to meet up the ends. In Indiana to get help with health costs, as a single mom I can only earn $260 a month. Yeah. I know. Barely pays the utilities in the summer, won't pay them in the winter.
Would I consider marrying for health insurance? Maybe. I can't say I'd rule it out. I prolonged my divorce to keep it. If I were in a life threatening situation and that were the only way to get the care I needed and be here for my kids? You bet I would marry or prolong divorce.