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
    • Press Room
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Accessibility Statement
Find A Grant
Global Search Dialog
    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
      • Press Room
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Accessibility Statement
    Find A Grant
    Global Search Dialog

      As the COVID-19 Recession Extended Into the Summer of 2020, More Than 3 Million Adults Lost Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Coverage and 2 Million Became Uninsured

      Brief Sep-17-2020 | Gangopadhyaya A, Karpman M, Aarons J | 2-min read
      1. Insights
      2. Our Research
      3. As the COVID-19 Recession Extended Into the Summer of 2020, More Than 3 Million Adults Lost Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Coverage and 2 Million Became Uninsured
      Download brief
      The Tobacco Policy Change program supported Houston Communities for Safe Indoor Air (HCSIA), a grass-roots advocacy coalition of African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native-American communities, to get a city ordinance against indoor smoking in public places. Tobacco Policy Change

      Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data provides glimpse of those losing health coverage amid the pandemic-related recession.

       

      The Issue

      Because most adults in America under age 65 get health insurance coverage through their or a family member’s employer, many people in families losing jobs are also at risk of losing coverage.

       

      Key Findings


       

      • 3.3 million non-elderly adults in America lost employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) over the summer of 2020 during the COVID-19 recession. Researchers estimate 1.9 million adults became newly uninsured from late April through mid-July.
      • Nearly half of those who lost ESI (1.6 million) were Hispanic adults, adding to earlier evidence that suggests Hispanic adults are disproportionately feeling the impact of the pandemic-related recession more than other racial and ethnic groups. Younger adults (2.2 million), men (3.0 million) and adults who did not attend college (2.1 million) made up the majority of ESI losses.
      • An estimated 1.8 million non-elderly adults lost ESI in states that expanded Medicaid eligibility requirements under the Affordable Care Act, whereas 1.5 million adults lost ESI in states that have not expanded.
      • Between late-April and mid-July, an estimated 2.2 million adults gained public coverage. There was no significant change in private nongroup coverage during this period.

       

      Conclusion

      The Household Pulse Survey offers a snapshot of how health insurance coverage changed between April 23–May 12 and July 9–21, 2020, as the COVID-19 recession extended into the summer and millions of adults remained unemployed.

      With continued weakness in the labor market, researchers conclude federal and state policymakers will need to act to prevent job losses from leading to further increases in uninsurance. At the federal level, expanded subsidies for marketplace coverage and restoration of funding for outreach and enrollment assistance can help more unemployed adults afford premiums and navigate their coverage options. At the state level, additional Medicaid expansions can prevent adults from falling into an assistance gap, where they are ineligible for both Medicaid and marketplace subsidies.

      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
      A man walking up the steps of a subway station.

      How the COVID-19 Recession Could Affect Health Insurance Coverage

      Rising unemployment due to COVID-19 is expected to significantly alter the health insurance coverage landscape as millions lose their jobs.

      1-min read

      Healthcare Coverage and Access Employment, Income and Wealth
      Brief
      Patients complete paperwork in a waiting room.

      Changes in Health Insurance Coverage Due to the COVID-19 Recession: Preliminary Estimates Using Micr...

      Research finds that uncertainty surrounds the economic and health insurance coverage effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

      1-min read

      Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
      Brief
      Head Start- Trauma Smart
Kansas City,Head Start- Trauma Smart
Kansas City

      Marketplace Pulse: The COVID Recession and Uninsurance—What’s in a Model?

      In the context of massive income loss and given the health impact of COVID-19 on individuals and families, understanding the the impact on health insurance coverage is critical.

      5-min read

      Healthcare Quality and Value
      Brief
      Healh care workers with the St. Josephs Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California care for in and out patients in the hospital and in their homes. 
(Credit: Lynsey Addario)

      Making Sense of Competing Estimates: The COVID-19 Recession's Effect on Health Insurance Coverage

      With millions of workers out of work, early projections of the effect that COVID would have on health coverage in the U.S. varied widely in both methodological approach and final projections.

      2-min read

      Healthcare Quality and Value
      • About this Grant

      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 twice a month 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.

      Communications expedite action. Get periodic research and expert insights on the best ways to communicate so we can spread what works.

      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.

      Which profession or pursuit best describes you?

      Area(s) Of Interest

      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

        • Facebook
        • LinkedIn
        • YouTube
        • Instagram

      • 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
        • Press Room
        • Careers
        • Contact Us
        • Accessibility Statement

      ©2001- 

      Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All Rights Reserved. 

       

      • Manage Email
      • Privacy Statement
      • Terms and Conditions