Report: Record Increase in Number of Uninsured

July 17, 2020

Because of job losses – resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn – between February and May of this year, 5.4 million laid-off workers became uninsured, according to a new report released by Families USA. This recent increase in the number of uninsured adults is 39% higher than any annual increase ever recorded. The highest previous increase took place over the one-year period from 2008 to 2009, when 3.9 million nonelderly adults became uninsured.

According to the Families USA analysis, 186,000 Illinoisans lost their health insurance due to job losses between February and May, increasing the state’s uninsured rate to 13%, with nearly one million Illinoisans now without health insurance.