Not exactly a hypothetical situation, but not an option I am currently considering.
One of my best friends is a man in his mid 50’s, I am 39. We dated for a couple of years about 10 years ago, but since then have just been very good friends. I talk to him at least once a day on the phone, and we get together every week or so to do things. He’s the one I call if my car’s broke down on the side of the road. I love him, and completely accept him for who he is, and he does the same for me.
A few weeks ago, he went to his PCP for what he thought was a hiatal hernia. The doctor is concerned about esophageal cancer, but doesn’t want to investigate it yet because my friend doesn’t have health insurance. If he were to get health insurance before tests are done, which the doctor strongly recommends, then it will not already be established that he has cancer, and therefore the treatments will be covered.
So my friend started checking into individual health insurance, and it would be rather expensive for him. I, on the other hand, have very cheap good health insurance from my employer and could add a spouse for not much more.
For right now, I don’t consider this a viable option for me, as I don’t really want to be married to someone I love but am not in love with. If the situation were to get dire I might consider it. So I’m not asking for advice, although I’m sure some of you will be more than willing to try to give it- I’m really just curious as to what other people would do in this situation.