One of five respondents in a recent study said they and/or their spouse or partner lost their job or were furloughed from their job because of COVID-19.
Even as economies began reopening in April and May, some researchers estimated up to 43 million people were likely to lose their employer-sponsored health insurance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some would get coverage through Medicaid, while others would go through the marketplace—and others would go without any coverage at all.
While federal data about the pandemic's effect on health insurance coverage will take some time to emerge, a new study from The Commonwealth Fund provides a first look at the post-COVID landscape. Conducted between May 13 and June 2, the survey asked 2,271 respondents if they or their spouse or partner had lost a job or been furloughed since February and whether either or both had health insurance through that job. They were also asked about their current insurance status, as well as some questions about balancing opening the economy with the attendant health risks.
The study found that one of five respondents (21%) said they and/or their spouse or partner lost their job or were furloughed from their job because of COVID-19. Over half of that respondent group reported that either they and/or a spouse or partner had been furloughed. Higher rates of job dislocation were reported by Hispanics and people with incomes under $50,000.
Two of five respondents (41%) who said they or a spouse or partner lost a job or were furloughed reported having health insurance coverage through that job. Over half of those respondents said they and/or their spouse or partner were still covered through their furloughed job. However, one of five respondents (21%) they and/or a spouse or partner were now uninsured.
Of the remaining 59% of respondents who reported not having coverage through a job they or their spouse/partner had lost or been furloughed, three in ten had been uninsured prior to the pandemic and continued to be uninsured throughout May and June. More than a third of respondents either had coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, or a plan purchased through the individual market. About a quarter of respondents reported having coverage through a job not affected by the pandemic, including a spouse or partner's job.
Participants were asked if people who get health insurance coverage through their employers should have the option of getting similar coverage at similar cost through government-subsidized and government-regulated plans. Nearly three-quarters of all respondents felt people should have that option. Democrats and those leaning Democrat expressed the strongest support at 81%, with 65% of Republicans expressing support.
Respondents were also asked about how they felt regarding wearing masks at work and regular COVID-19 testing. Overall, 85% of respondents believed wearing face masks in public was "very/somewhat important," with the strongest support once again coming from 95% of Democrats or those leaning Democrat. The majority of participants also felt regular testing and the ability of the government to conduct contact tracing were "very/somewhat important."
"This survey shows how our piecemeal approach to health insurance coverage in the United States leaves too many people without coverage or just a layoff away from losing it," said Sara R. Collins, Ph.D., vice president for health care coverage and access at The Commonwealth Fund. "Here in the fourth month of COVID-19 related job losses, a growing number of people won't be able to afford health care in the midst of the worst public health crisis in modern times. It has never been clearer how important it is to ensure that all U.S. residents have affordable, comprehensive coverage regardless of their employment status."
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Richard Binder
Richard Binder, based in New York, is part of the social media team at ALM. He is also a 2014 recipient of the ASPBE Award for Excellence in the Humorous/Fun Department.
