At a Glance | November 19, 2020 Loss of Jobs With Health Coverage During the Pandemic Reveals Significant Industry Differences JOB LOSS = COVERAGE LOSS Pandemic Job Losses Have Left Millions of Americans and Their Dependents Without Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) The strong link between employment and health 151.7 Million insurance coverage has Number of Unemployed Workers Total number of workers 17.9 employed prepandemic important implications for 18.5 Million 17.7 Americans’ insurance coverage Feb–Jun 2020 average and access to health care. Workers who lost jobs 7.7 Million During the COVID-19 pandemic, with ESI most states issued lockdown Dependents covered + 6.9 Million orders, closing many by lost jobs with ESI workplaces. The resulting job 2.1 Total affected by jobs 14.6 Million 2.2 Million 2.0 losses left millions of workers — lost with ESI as well as their dependents — without employer health Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 2020 coverage. IMPAC T BY INDUS TRY Disparities by Industry in Total Job Loss vs. Loss of Jobs With Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) Are Striking Seven industries accounted for two-thirds of prepandemic Industry Share Percentage of Industry employment. Manufacturing Prepandemic Employment Job Losses as Percentage of Prepandemic Employment Unemployed Workers Workers With Health Coverage in Own Name Pandemic-related workers were most affected Selected Industries job losses Loss of Jobs With ESI Workers Who Lost Jobs With ESI by loss of jobs with employer 7% 30% health insurance because Accommodation and 3.27 Million 20% 25% food services manufacturing has one of the 11% 7% highest rates of ESI coverage 10% 13% Retail trade 2.09 Million 14% 40% (66 percent). In contrast, retail 12% 5% trade accounted for 10 percent 14% 9% of prepandemic employment Health care and social 1.90 Million 13% 54% and 14 percent of unemployed assistance 15% 5% workers in June. But because 10% 10% Manufacturing 1.58 Million only 40 percent of workers 12% 66% 18% 7% in retail had ESI prepandemic, these workers accounted 9% 4% Educational services 0.63 Million 3% 59% for 12 percent of lost jobs 4% 3% with ESI. 8% 5% Professional/scientific/ 0.57 Million 3% 58% tech services 4% 3% 7% 5% Construction 0.50 Million 4% 41% 3% 2% SOURCE: Paul Fronstin and Stephen A. Woodbury, “How Many Americans Have Lost Jobs with Employer Health Coverage During the Pandemic?” October 2020. © 2020 EBRI This report is copyrighted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). You may copy, print, or download this report solely for personal and noncommercial use, provided that all hard copies retain any and all copyright and other applicable notices contained therein, and you may cite or quote small portions of the report provided that you do so verbatim and with proper citation. Any use beyond the scope of the foregoing requires EBRI’s prior express permission. For permissions, please contact EBRI at permissions@ebri.org.