Employer health costs are set to jump the most since 2003—and even health care workers are struggling to afford care

Health care workers are grappling with the challenge of affording their own medical coverage, as costs for employer-sponsored health insurance continue to rise at the highest rate in over two decades. The Association for Independent Medicine's Jack Dillon reported that concern over insurance costs has surged this year, with his own practice facing a 22.5% increase.

This trend extends to larger employers, with health benefit costs per employee expected to surge by 8.2% in 2027, marking the steepest rise since 2003 and the fifth consecutive year of significant growth. Two-thirds of companies with over 500 employees plan to raise workers' share of premiums, which may force some to reconsider offering insurance altogether or reduce benefits.

The pressure falls particularly hard on those who need care themselves, with some health care workers opting to forgo insurance or cut back on other benefits. The American Nurses Association has warned that the consequences of rising costs could extend to patients, as nurses may experience increased fatigue, stress, and burnout due to the need to work additional hours to make up for the financial strain.