Is Obamacare aiding the millions of Americans who have left their jobs?

The Great Resignation has seen a record number of workers quitting their jobs, with approximately 4 million workers leaving each month between July and November 2021.

For 12 years, Erica Leman had a side hustle as a wedding photographer. Like many Americans, Leman, who worked in higher education, saw the pandemic as an opportunity to make a career change.

"What are the chances of another pandemic occurring during my lifetime? Leman said. The worst-case scenario is that I return to work. That's not the end of the world."

In 2020, over 54% of Americans received health insurance through their employers, but those who are becoming their own bosses may be losing this advantage as they gain financial freedom.

If health insurance wasn't a factor, one in three insured workers would consider leaving their jobs, according to Policygenius' November 2021 Health Insurance Literacy Survey. Myles Ma, senior managing editor at Policygenius, stated that the Great Resignation might be even greater if it weren't for the way our health insurance system is structured.

"One of the reasons I almost never considered leaving a staff position until recently was due to health insurance," she stated.

In December 2021, the number of Americans who signed up for health insurance through the Obamacare marketplace reached a record high, as many turned to this platform amid recent resignations.

Some Americans find it challenging to understand and select a suitable health plan at an affordable price.

According to a 2020 survey by the Commonwealth Fund, seventy-one percent of uninsured Americans who opted not to purchase coverage either from a private insurer or through the marketplace did not buy a plan because it was too expensive.

Leman searched the marketplace for a plan but found none that met her needs. She felt overwhelmed by the numerous options and thought they were overpriced for the level of support provided.

"According to Karen Pollitz, senior fellow for health reform and private insurance at Kaiser Family Foundation, there are substantial restrictions in marketplace plan coverage that are not immediately apparent. The coverage may differ significantly from what you were accustomed to from your previous employment."

Although the pandemic may have contributed to the Great Resignation, new legislation has made insurance policies from the marketplace more affordable for most Americans. However, only 30% of people are aware that they can receive financial aid to cover their plans.

Can Obamacare effectively address the influx of uninsured Americans and how might the Great Resignation impact health care coverage in the U.S.?