Volatile work hours cut access to employer health insurance, study finds
In the 46 years since Dolly Parton wrote the workers' anthem "9 to 5," American jobs, and access to employment-based health insurance, have changed a lot.
A recent study reveals that workers with inconsistent work hours and fluctuating incomes in America are less likely to have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. The research, published in JAMA Network Open by experts from Mount Sinai Hospital and the University of Michigan, indicates that those with volatile work situations are predominantly young, female, and low-income individuals.
They are also more prone to be covered by Medicaid or ACA Marketplace health plans rather than employer-sponsored plans. The study found that 70% of those with unstable work schedules experienced work hours dropping below 20 hours per week at some point during the year. This finding is particularly relevant as 44 states prepare to require Medicaid enrollees to prove they are working at least 80 hours per month, starting in 2027, potentially disenrolling them if they fail to meet the criteria.
The research underscores the vulnerability of workers with irregular schedules as they may face difficulties in meeting the work requirements for Medicaid. With the upcoming changes to the ACA Marketplace, including alterations to eligibility criteria and increased costs, low- and middle-income workers who lack access to employer coverage will likely bear the brunt of these policy shifts.
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