Ellyn Maese reports that 24 percent of U.S. workers are experiencing "job lock" by staying in unwanted roles to maintain health insurance.

Ellyn Maese, research director for the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America, reports that nearly one in four U.S. workers are experiencing "job lock." This phenomenon occurs when employees remain in jobs they would prefer to leave specifically to retain employer-sponsored health insurance. The study found that 24 percent of workers, or approximately 23 million adults, are currently in this position, marking an eight-percentage-point increase since 2021. The data indicates that job lock is particularly prevalent among those with chronic conditions; 41 percent of workers with three or more diagnoses stay in their roles for coverage. Additionally, women are more likely than men to report feeling trapped by insurance needs, often due to higher healthcare usage and greater financial stress. The administration announced that enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies will expire at the end of 2025, a move expected to increase premiums and further constrain worker mobility. Experts suggest that this lack of mobility may reduce labor market competition, potentially suppressing wage growth and innovation across the U.S. economy.

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