Free-Market Idea to Get Protection
Every once in a while a good free-market idea comes along that folks really like. But then the government has to step in and tries to mess it up. So is the case with Health Care Sharing. HCS involves a community of Christians who share their medical bills WITHOUT insurance. It’s similar to passing the hat at church to help a fellow church goer. The HCS ministries do something similar except on a national scale.
Over the years, numerous state departments of insurance have attacked the ministries that facilitate HCS, claiming they are insurance. As a result, the ministries have sought protection in the form of a safe harbor law. So far, 16 states have passed this law, including Maine last year. In New Hampshire’s General Court this year, NH Senator Fenton Groen (R-6) is introducing SB 245 that will define what a HCS ministry is and then exempt them from the insurance code because they are not insurance. For more information, go to http://www.healthcaresharing.org
Joe Guarino, Government Affairs
Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries
“…because Faith, Liberty, and Charity are essential to effective health care.”
http://www.healthcaresharing.org
Direct 804-467-1880
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SB 245 is a new Senate bill on the docket that would protect health care sharing organizations from being categorized as insurance companies.
“This bill authorizes the establishment of health care sharing organizations which shall be 501(c)(3) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code. Under this bill, participants of health care sharing organizations may financially assist fellow participants with certain medical expenses.”
This bill helps those who wish to provide charitable means of paying for their health care without penalty.