2025 was a brutal year for workers, with layoffs surpassing more than 1.2 million and health insurance premiums continuing to climb. “I would never tell somebody you should go without health insurance because a backstop in case of emergency is really important,” says Botta. To cut costs and bridge the gap after a layoff, Bello and some other Americans are turning to non-traditional health care options like short-term health care plans, direct primary care and health care sharing ministries. That means losing a job can feel like a one-two punch: the loss of both income and health insurance. Similarly, fixed-indemnity or hospital insurance plans are cheaper than traditional insurance, with premiums as low as $25 a month.