In the months since the coronavirus struck, our economy has been devastated. More than 1.4 million people have confirmed COVID-19 cases. And more than 86,000 Americans have died as a result.[1]
 
With the jobless tally rising quickly by the millions, as businesses struggle to keep people employed during the pandemic, the absurdity of having our health care linked to jobs becomes painfully clear.
 
EPI research determined 16.2 million Americans have likely lost their health care due to pandemic job losses. Linking health insurance to employment has always been problematic. The pandemic is highlighting and exacerbating those issues. Medicare for All, while a hugely ambitious policy undertaking, could be one way to remedy this situation.
 
In addition to ensuring people have health coverage—an essential goal during a global pandemic—EPI's research has determined a Medicare-for-all type health care plan could boost wages, help create jobs and lead to more efficient labor markets that better match jobs and workers.
 
Watch a two-minute video of EPI's Josh Bivens as he details how unlinking jobs from health care and passing Medicare for All would boost disposable income of working families and create the prospects for new jobs.