24% of Workers Stay in Jobs for Health Care, Survey Shows

A growing slice of Americans say their job isn't working for them—but their health insurance is. A new West Health-Gallup survey estimates 23 million adults are in "job lock"—staying in roles they'd rather leave solely to keep employer health coverage. That's 24%, up from 16% in 2021. Among workers with at least three chronic conditions, that figure jumps to 41%, NPR reports. It's also higher for those with medical debt, per Yahoo Finance.

The effects go beyond the individual worker. Analysts say the tie between work and insurance is limiting entrepreneurship, mobility, and productivity. There's broad sentiment among policy experts that the system needs changing, though less agreement on how. Suggestions include restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies and shifting clout to individuals through portable, market-based health care plans.