About 24% of U.S. workers<\/a> with job-based insurance \u2013 roughly 23 million adults \u2013 are experiencing “job lock,” up sharply from 16% in 2021, according to a report<\/a> from the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare in America.<\/p>\n The survey defines job lock as remaining in a job despite wanting to leave due to concerns about losing health insurance.<\/p>\n Nearly one in four American workers with employer-sponsored health insurance say they are stuck in jobs they want to leave because they fear losing coverage. (iStock)<\/p>\n “Job lock is on the rise in America,” the report noted. “Nearly a quarter of U.S. employees report staying in a job they want to leave to keep their health insurance, a powerful constraint on worker mobility, productivity, entrepreneurship and<\/a> wage growth.”<\/p>\n The surge comes as soaring healthcare costs squeeze household budgets.\u00a0<\/p>\n About half of Americans said they struggle to consistently pay for needed medical care or prescriptions, while 51% are worried about affording healthcare over the next year \u2014 the highest level in five years, as noted in the report.<\/p>\n OBAMACARE EXCHANGE FLAW EXPOSED AMERICANS TO UNEXPECTED HEALTH PLAN SWITCHES, WATCHDOG FINDS<\/a><\/p>\n The survey defines job lock as remaining in a job despite wanting to leave due to concerns about losing health insurance. (iStock)<\/p>\n Workers under greater financial strain were far more likely to report feeling trapped.<\/p>\n Among those with medical debt, 44% reported job lock<\/a>, more than double the 21% rate among those without medical debt.<\/p>\n ALLERGY MEDICATION RECALLED OVER POSSIBLE DRUG MIX-UP THAT COULD TRIGGER ‘LIFE-THREATENING’ REACTIONS<\/a><\/p>\n Workers under greater financial strain were far more likely to report feeling trapped. (iStock)<\/p>\n Nearly half of respondents who cited healthcare costs as a “major financial burden<\/a>” reported job lock. The rate rose to 53% among those experiencing “a lot of stress” over medical expenses, the report noted.<\/p>\n Chronic health problems also made workers more likely to stay at their jobs.\u00a0<\/p>\n About 29% of those with at least one chronic condition reported job lock, compared with 17% of those without one.<\/p>\n That rate grew to 41% among people with three or more diagnoses.<\/p>\n![\"Employees](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786802175_534_employees-board-room-meeting-istock.jpg\")
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