STAT+: More workers hate their jobs, but keep them for the health insurance

STAT PlusInsurance More workers hate their jobs, but keep them for the health insurance The trend is fueled by economic anxiety and the surging cost of care Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Bob HermanJuly 22, 2026 Bob Herman is the author of Health Care Inc., an award-winning weekly newsletter about the business of health and medicine. Bob Herman[email protected]Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. An increasing number of adults are slogging through jobs they don’t like solely because they don’t want to lose their health insurance. This phenomenon — known as “job lock” — has existed in the U.S. workforce for decades. The worry of losing health benefits inhibits the ability for people, especially those with more health problems or complex conditions, to switch jobs or careers. Economists have also said job lock prevents people from starting their own businesses. Advertisement Almost a quarter of all U.S. workers say they want to leave their current job but won’t because they want to keep their health benefits, according to a new survey of more than 2,000 employed people from Gallup and West Health. That’s up significantly from 16% in 2021, the last time Gallup measured job lock among working adults. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — and get additional analysis of the financial innards of our health care system — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In health care costs, Health insurance, patients, Policy Submit a correction requestReprints Bob Herman Business of Health Care Reporter Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09. Newsletter Unpacking the business — and secretive inner workings — of the U.S. health care industry Recommended D.C. Diagnosis July 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Rare disease drugmakers try to avoid Trump price cuts The Readout July 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Anthropic deepens work with rare disease drugs Advertisement Pharma July 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Makers of rare disease drugs seek exemption from Trump’s price-cut pilots Health Care Inc. Newsletter July 20, 2026 STAT Plus: The next step of site-neutral, and a fiery PBM hearing The Readout July 17, 2026 STAT Plus: The end for GSK’s chronic cough treatment Subscriber Picks