The expectation is that the well spouse has a fiscal responsibility for the sick spouse.
Yes. And not just well and unwell spouses, but all spouses. With marriage you obtain access to many benefits ranging from social security benefits to inheritance to the right to made medical decisions for an incapacitated spouse or visit in the hospital. Fiscal responsibility is of the obligations you incur on marrying someone.
This is actually why alimony was created, so former or current (alimony during a marriage under certain circumstances exists in at least one state where I lived) spouses are not reliant on the state. As a general matter the state tries to be the payor of last resort, whether for health care (Medicaid) or food stamps.
