In my case, I had my wife enroll in a graduate program rather than wasting 6 precious years of her life. Promptly, I had her switch from H4 to F1. So effectively, I've just kicked the can down the road. It remains to be seen what will happen once she graduates and the OPT runs out.

The US govt and Congress are apathetic in resolving this issue. On a more hopeful note, recently, there has been some noise about allowing H4 visa holders to work after the H1-B holder has completed 6 years[1]. The commenting period closed recently. It remains to be seen how, if and when, USCIS will implement this rule.

[1] http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=20121...