Don Ballo

Millions of working-age adults in the United States cycled through job gains, losses, and changes, and health insurance often shifted alongside those employment moves.
For adults ages 18 to 64, job transitions frequently coincided with coverage changes, and some people lost insurance for part of the year.
Disruptions were more common among younger adults, lower-income households, people without college degrees, and racial or ethnic minorities facing greater employment and coverage instability.
Because many Americans still rely on employer-sponsored insurance, losing or changing a job can also trigger coverage gaps and added financial stress.
The research highlighted why short coverage gaps can affect both health and financial well-being, especially when employment changes happen quickly for families nationwide.
The researchers suggested smoother moves between coverage types, or less dependence on job-based insurance, could help Americans maintain steadier protection during work tr

Unstable Work Can Reshape Health Coverage

Across the US, overall car ownership costs ended up ↑50% since 2020, showing why monthly payments alone no longer captured the true budget impact.
Repairs took a bigger share of US budgets, with costs ↑70% over five years as modern vehicles needed specialized tools, electronics expertise, and scarcer technicians.
Insurance added major pressure, with US full coverage averaging ~$2.1K yearly and minimum coverage ~$800, while items like tires, brakes, batteries, and oil changes accumulated.
US passenger vehicles averaged 14.5 yr old in 2025, helping some drivers avoid new payments but often bringing more maintenance, repairs, depreciation, and operating costs.
In the US, smarter ownership starts with routine upkeep, comparing repair estimates, asking what is urgent, building a car fund, and reviewing insurance.