Essential Workers Have a 13% Uninsured Rate, Making Some States More At-Risk For Essential Workers

Rhea-AI Summary

QuoteWizard®, a LendingTree company, has identified states where essential workers face significant health insurance risks due to employer coverage deficits. The report reveals that essential workers, who are crucial during the pandemic, have a 13% uninsured rate compared to 8% for non-essential workers. Key findings show that 35% of essential workers experienced reduced hours, and 50% cannot manage a $500 medical bill. The report ranks states based on employer health coverage and essential worker percentages, with Montana having the lowest coverage at 70.6%.

Positive

• Increased awareness of essential worker health risks could prompt greater support and policy changes.
• The report highlights significant disparities in health insurance coverage, potentially leading to future reforms.

Negative

• High uninsured rates among essential workers (13%) indicate a severe safety net failure.
• 35% of essential workers have reduced hours, indicating vulnerability in employment stability during the pandemic.

SEATTLE, Aug. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- QuoteWizard®, a LendingTree company, and one of the nation's leading online insurance marketplaces released a report on states around the country where essential workers could face the greatest risk are those with a high rate of essential workforce and states that lack employer-sponsored health insurance.

The work environments during the pandemic have been extremely risky for the essential workforce. The essential workers putting themselves on the frontlines are considered heroes by many for keeping the country running in hard times. Unfortunately, it's essential workers that are disproportionately under-insured and underpaid than non-essential workers.

Visit the full report here, https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/essential-workers-at-risk-of-covid-19

Key Findings:

• Essential workers have an uninsured rate of 13% compared to 8% of non-essential workers.
• Nationally, 84% of employers offer health insurance coverage.
• Thirty-five percent of essential workers have had work hours reduced or limited from the pandemic compared to 24% of non-essential workers.
• Fifty percent of essential workers can't afford a $500 unexpected medical bill, compared to 69% of non-essential workers.
• Restaurant, construction and home health industries have the highest rates of uninsured workers and low wage jobs.

Methodology
QuoteWizard analyzed State Health Access Data Assistance Center data on the percentage of employers offering health insurance for workers in each state. We then paired that data with United Way's rate of essential workers in each state. Our analysis aimed at finding which states have the highest rate of essential workers and how likely that state is to provide health insurance for workers.

Rank	Location	% Employer Health Coverage	% Essential Workers
1	Montana	70.6%	46.4%
2	Wyoming	71.6%	53.5%
3	Alaska	75.0%	45.0%
4	Vermont	76.8%	45.3%
5	Idaho	77.0%	43.2%
6	New Mexico	77.1%	42.8%
7	Maine	80.1%	44.6%
8	Utah	81.2%	44.6%
9	Colorado	81.7%	42.6%
10	North Carolina	82.2%	46.0%
11	Oregon	82.3%	46.0%
12	Arkansas	83.1%	49.6%
13	Mississippi	83.2%	48.8%
14	Wisconsin	83.5%	50.1%
15	Florida	83.6%	40.0%
16	South Dakota	83.7%	50.4%
17	Nebraska	83.7%	49.4%
18	Washington	83.7%	42.4%
19	Michigan	83.8%	47.0%
20	Louisiana	84.1%	48.9%
21	West Virginia	84.1%	47.7%
22	Indiana	84.3%	51.8%
23	Oklahoma	84.5%	46.5%
24	California	84.6%	43.5%
25	Minnesota	85.1%	46.0%
26	Rhode Island	85.1%	41.1%
27	Georgia	85.2%	45.0%
28	Kentucky	85.5%	51.3%
29	Iowa	85.6%	46.6%
30	Ohio	85.7%	46.8%
31	South Carolina	85.8%	48.2%
32	Arizona	85.8%	39.3%
33	Tennessee	85.9%	49.0%
34	Nevada	86.1%	48.4%
35	Missouri	86.1%	46.8%
36	Texas	86.1%	44.0%
37	Kansas	86.3%	49.2%
38	New Hampshire	86.4%	40.5%
39	North Dakota	86.5%	57.2%
40	New York	86.7%	46.1%
41	Connecticut	86.7%	40.8%
42	Virginia	86.8%	43.3%
43	Maryland	87.1%	39.4%
44	Delaware	87.3%	46.6%
45	New Jersey	87.6%	44.1%
46	Alabama	87.9%	48.7%
47	Illinois	88.0%	48.0%
48	Pennsylvania	88.3%	46.3%
49	Massachusetts	90.1%	43.5%
50	Hawaii	95.4%	50.3%

About QuoteWizard QuoteWizard (quotewizard.com) is an insurance comparison marketplace for consumers looking to save on insurance. QuoteWizard provides consumers with direct access to thousands of qualified agents in all 50 states, as well as major carriers, who offer personalized quotes and the opportunity to save up to 40% on auto, home, health, and life insurance. Agents and carriers, in turn, benefit from millions of highly qualified leads, calls, and traffic to their site. Based in Seattle, QuoteWizard was founded in 2006.

For more information, go to quotewizard.com, like our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @quotewizard.

About LendingTree LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the nation's leading online marketplace that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. LendingTree empowers consumers to shop for financial services the same way they would shop for airline tickets or hotel stays, comparing multiple offers from a nationwide network of over 500 partners in one simple search, and can choose the option that best fits their financial needs. Services include mortgage loans, mortgage refinances, auto loans, personal loans, business loans, student refinances, credit cards and more. Through the My LendingTree platform, consumers receive free credit scores, credit monitoring, and recommendations to improve credit health. My LendingTree proactively compares consumers' credit accounts against offers on our network and notifies consumers when there is an opportunity to save money. In short, LendingTree's purpose is to help simplify financial decisions for life's meaningful moments through choice, education and support. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of LendingTree, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Emily: emily@quotewizardnews.com
Nathan: nathan@quotewizardnews.com

Related Links
https://quotewizard.com
https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/essential-workers-at-risk-of-covid-19

 

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SOURCE QuoteWizard

FAQ

What is the uninsured rate for essential workers according to the report?

The uninsured rate for essential workers is 13%, compared to 8% for non-essential workers.

Which state has the highest percentage of employer health coverage for essential workers?

Hawaii has the highest employer health coverage at 95.4%.

How many essential workers struggle to afford unexpected medical bills?

50% of essential workers cannot afford a $500 unexpected medical bill.

What percentage of essential workers have experienced reduced hours during the pandemic?

35% of essential workers have had their hours reduced due to the pandemic.

Which industries have the highest rates of uninsured essential workers?

The restaurant, construction, and home health industries have the highest rates of uninsured essential workers.