COVID-19 Recession: Affects on Health Insurance Coverage
Skip to main content
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision Overview
    • Why Health Equity
    • Focus Areas
    • Measuring RWJF Progress
  • Grants
    • Grants Overview
    • Active Funding Opportunities
    • Awarded Grants
    • Grantee Stories
    • Grant Process
    • Grantee Resources
  • Insights
    • Insights Overview
    • Blog
    • Our Research
    • Advocacy And Policy
  • About RWJF
    • About RWJF Overview
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • How We Work
    • Impact Investments
    • Staff And Trustees
    • Newsroom
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
Find A Grant

How the COVID-19 Recession Could Affect Health Insurance Coverage

Brief May-04-2020 | Garrett B, Gangopadhyaya A | 1-min read
  1. Insights
  2. Our Research
  3. How the COVID-19 Recession Could Affect Health Insurance Coverage
Download brief
CCraig Farrow takes the subway to go to pay his rent at a Project Renewal office in the Bronx. Craig Farrow is a former convict, drug addict and on release was homeless. In 2004 Project Renewal helped him rehabilitate, found him housing and trained him to be a cook. Project Renewal, New York

Twenty-five million workers or more could lose employer-based health insurance due to COVID-19-related unemployment.

 

The Issue

An estimated 160 million people nationwide under the age of 65 had health insurance through their employer just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Thirty million workers filed for unemployment between March 15 and April 25, according to federal statistics. Rising unemployment is expected to significantly alter the health insurance coverage landscape, as millions who lose their jobs and their dependents enroll in Medicaid, purchase Marketplace coverage, or become uninsured.

 

Key Findings


In this brief, researchers estimate how 20 percent unemployment—expected in the coming months—could affect health insurance coverage. Findings include:

  • An estimated 25-43 million people could lose their employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.

     

  • More than half of the newly jobless will obtain Medicaid coverage in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), while only about one-third will receive Medicaid coverage in the 15 states that have not expanded the program.

     

  • Less than a quarter of these workers and their dependents in expansion states will become uninsured, while about 40 percent in non-expansion states will become uninsured.

     

Conclusion

Researchers suggest several policy options to mitigate burdens on state budgets and the rise in uninsurance, such as temporarily enabling more Medicaid support in non-expansion states, expanding the income range for premium subsidies in the ACA marketplaces, providing subsidies for COBRA insurance, and enhancing Medicaid matching rates.

About the Urban Institute

The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and offered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. Their objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector. Visit the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center for more information specific to its staff and its recent research.

Related Content

Brief

COVID-19, Unemployment Compensation, and State Medicaid Expansion Decisions

Recent analysis: Over 70 percent of 7.4 million workers with prepandemic employer-based insurance, through industries now vulnerable to high rates of unemployment, would be eligible for some assistance with health insurance if they lost their jobs.

1-min read

Healthcare Coverage and Access
Research

COVID-19 and the Individual Market

With dramatic impacts on population health and the economy, COVID-19 is disrupting every segment of health insurance. The individual insurance market will undoubtedly feel the impact of large changes.

8-min read

Healthcare Coverage and Access Policy and Law
  • About this Grant
SHOW MORE
+

SHARE

Subscribe to receive Funding Alerts & more

Explore the latest in reflection and research from subject matter experts at RWJF and our wide network of partners.

Email address already subscribed. Please check your inbox to manage your subscriptions.

Subscribed!

Thank you. You are now subscribed.

Tell us what type of content you want to receive.

Be informed with our weekly newsletter updating you with relevant news and research around a Culture of Health, as well as the latest funding opportunities.

Get funded by RWJF: Receive notifications when new funding opportunities are released.

Receive monthly updates on RWJF-sponsored research that informs many robust health policy debates on Capitol Hill, covering topics like health equity, improving access to quality healthcare, equitable housing, and more.

Shop talk for researchers. This monthly newsletter covers research news and opportunities from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Sometimes we have news, announcements or opportunities that don't quite fit the subscription parameters above. If you're interested, we'll send you this information under "There's more...". *If you've indicated you are an EU resident, we will only send these communications if you intentionally check this box.

Yes! I want to tell you more about myself and receive personalized communications in the future.

Area(s) Of Interest

Which profession or pursuit best describes you?

Unsubscribe

Stop receiving all emails from RWJF

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
  • CONTACT RWJF

    50 College Road East

    Princeton, NJ 08540-6614

     

    US Toll Free: (877) 843-7953

    International: +1 (609) 627-6000

  • MANAGE YOUR GRANTS

    MyRWJF Login

    • Twitter link
    • Facebook link
    • LinkedIn link
    • YouTube link

  • Our Vision
    • Our Vision Overview
    • Why Health Equity
    • Focus Areas
    • Measuring RWJF Progress
  • Grants
    • Grants Overview
    • Active Funding Opportunities
    • Awarded Grants
    • Grantee Stories
    • Grant Process
    • Grantee Resources
  • Insights
    • Insights Overview
    • Blog
    • Our Research
    • Advocacy And Policy
  • About RWJF
    • About RWJF Overview
    • Our Guiding Principles
    • How We Work
    • Impact Investments
    • Staff And Trustees
    • Newsroom
    • Careers
    • Contact Us

©2001- 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

 

  • Manage Email
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms and Conditions