Precarious Work, Precarious Care: Income Instability and Interruptions in Health Care Access

Photograph by Nathaniel St. Clair

Access to health care is one of the key indicators of workers’ well-being, but monthly volatile income may undermine the continuity and affordability of care access. With the rise of precarious employment over the past few decades, it is not uncommon for employers to be reluctant to offer health insurance or other benefits. Further, workers bear the risk of losing jobs or experiencing hour variability, both of which are likely to intertwine with intermittent health insurance coverage.