Most Americans receive health insurance through their job or a family member’s job. So, when workers lose their jobs, they — and their family members — run the risk of losing their health coverage as well. This come from an analysis of Census Bureau data by Edward R. Berchick and Laryssa Mykyta*
Previously released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) show that ~55.1% of the U.S. population – 178 million people – had employer-sponsored insurance or ESI in 2018.
Workers in Key Occupations
Economic shifts caused by the Trump Administration’s denial and then failed efforts to address the virus have likely affected workers in some jobs more than in others. Media coverage, of course, has heavily focused on workers in food service and retail occupations who have lost jobs due to social distancing measures and the closing of non-essential businesses in many states.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in service occupations (which include food service jobs) was 27.1% in April 2020. While data on how these recent changes have affected coverage within households are not yet available, Census used the CPS ASEC to examine coverage for workers in these jobs in 2018 and their families.
The occupations among those affected during the pandemic and therefore most at risk of losing health coverage: food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; personal care and service; and retail sales. Collectively, 39.6 million people worked in these jobs in 2018, representing 23.6% of all workers.
Some Key Findings
- The majority (55.2%) of workers (about 21.9 million) in one of these occupations had ESI plans.
- Slightly under a third (32.0%) of workers in these jobs were the policyholders. That is, the plan was in their name and their employment (as opposed to their spouse’s or a parent’s employment) made them eligible to enroll.
Children?
In 2018, about 38 million children under 19 years had health insurance through their parents’ ESI plan. This represents nearly one-half (49.1%) of all U.S. children under 19. About 22.8% of children with parents employed in the above occupations (food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; personal care and service; and retail sales) were on a parent’s ESI plan. This means that ESI plans with workers in jobs likely affected by a shrinking economy covered 4.3 million children in 2018.
- *Edward R. Berchick is senior health demographer at the Census Bureau.
- *Laryssa Mykyta is branch chief in the Health and Disability Statistics Branch.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Census Bureau: Millions of Americans Who Get Health Coverage from Employers Could Lose It During COVID-19
Most Americans receive health insurance through their job or a family member’s job. So, when workers lose their jobs, they — and their family members — run the risk of losing their health coverage as well. This come from an analysis of Census Bureau data by Edward R. Berchick and Laryssa Mykyta*
Previously released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) show that ~55.1% of the U.S. population – 178 million people – had employer-sponsored insurance or ESI in 2018.
Workers in Key Occupations
Economic shifts caused by the Trump Administration’s denial and then failed efforts to address the virus have likely affected workers in some jobs more than in others. Media coverage, of course, has heavily focused on workers in food service and retail occupations who have lost jobs due to social distancing measures and the closing of non-essential businesses in many states.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in service occupations (which include food service jobs) was 27.1% in April 2020. While data on how these recent changes have affected coverage within households are not yet available, Census used the CPS ASEC to examine coverage for workers in these jobs in 2018 and their families.
The occupations among those affected during the pandemic and therefore most at risk of losing health coverage: food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; personal care and service; and retail sales. Collectively, 39.6 million people worked in these jobs in 2018, representing 23.6% of all workers.
Some Key Findings
Children?
In 2018, about 38 million children under 19 years had health insurance through their parents’ ESI plan. This represents nearly one-half (49.1%) of all U.S. children under 19. About 22.8% of children with parents employed in the above occupations (food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; personal care and service; and retail sales) were on a parent’s ESI plan. This means that ESI plans with workers in jobs likely affected by a shrinking economy covered 4.3 million children in 2018.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.