Why the Sickest Workers May Be Among the First Back on the Job

Since most people in the U.S. get health insurance through work, many with pre-existing conditions fear unemployment more than they fear coronavirus.

Last month, Patti Hanks faced a wrenching decision: go back to her job, or lose her health insurance.

Ms. Hanks, 62, recently had ovarian cancer treatment. With her immunity low, she was nervous about returning to her workplace, a store where she would be drawing up financing plans and taking cash payments from customers buying furniture and large appliances.

But she was even more worried about losing her health coverage if she didn’t go back. Finding a job with health benefits that allowed her to work from home felt like a pipe dream in the midst of an economic downturn. Continue reading.