Posted on 03/28/2017 4:51:58 PM PDT by ForYourChildren
The new law erodes the power of individuals to make health care cheaper & better.
When Jason Morris' son Cole was two years old, he broke his thighbone and spent several weeks in a full-body cast. The medical bills came to about $13,000, but Morris, his wife, and six children don't have health insurance. Instead they belong to Samaritan Ministries, an organization of devout Christians who chip in to cover each other's medical bills. Following the usual process at Samaritan, members from all over the country mailed the Morris family small checks that added up to enough money to cover all the bills. "We had the emotional side of it," says Morris, "but the financial side of it was completely taken care of."
Samaritan has about 86,000 members spread among all 50 states, which makes it the largest of three "health care sharing ministries" in the U.S. Households of three or more are required to send $370 each month to another family to help cover the bills from a medical crisis.
{..snip..}
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
https://samaritanministries.org/
Real competition works.
This is a story of how a number of entrepreneurs have started sharing ministries to cover health needs. There are a number of sharing ministries available. Samaritan Ministries is just one. But each one is about 1/3 to 2/3 the cost of todays health insurance.
Competition works.
Leave us alone federal government.
Get out of our way!
Take careful note that this article is from 2013. Since that time, the costs of Obamacare have skyrocketed. I do not think it has that much of a bearing on the current situation.
My wife and I (currently uninsured) are thinking about joining Samaritan, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. I would love to hear of any first-hand experiences.
My family and many members of my church and friends have Samaritan Ministries for many many years. We have never had a problem with it and it has paid out as necessary.
Other people that I know have other health sharing ministries and seem pleased with those.
Their website has some testimonials.
Check with your church and others for specific questions.
4 later
Here is another more recent article that I just found.
“Christians Find Their Own Way to Replace Obamacare”
Sharing ministries work. They’re still not cheap and the deductibles are large, but they’re not nearly as crazy high as O Care.
Samaritan Ministries
3+ Person Family
Standard Membership
$495/mo
with $500 deductible
See their website for specifics
I don’t go to Church and thus don’t qualify for that plan since you have to have a pastors note.
However Liberty has a plan that seems doable.
Let me say two problems.
1. Not tax deductible for self employed
2. Not guaranteed...and someone could get screwed if there are many high costs people in a year
3. don’t qualify for HSA accounts
ping
We are members and will stay members.
Rates are different than stated in the article, but 25% of what we paid last year with Aetna.
With rates less than 25% of what we paid Aetna, I don’t much care about deductibility.
When you dig deeper..you will find that at least one had a problem with how many was spent..personal expenses of head person or people...can’t remember
One had rebranded under another name after major issues.
there are problems. Anyone considering has to look at everything.
Thanks for the link.
There will always be some sort of problems, I am sure.
Also note that your article is from 2011.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/april2/8.23.html
“Along the way, however, Hawthorn allegedly raided approximately $728,200 from Christian Brotherhood’s accounts for cars, a motor home, real estate, an airplane, and cash to benefit himself and family members. The lawsuit also asserts that, beginning in 1996, “defendant Hawthorn engaged in a relationship with Tabitha Ball, then a 21-year-old employee of an exotic dance club.” Ball, briefly on the ministry payroll, was also provided free rent, a car, and credit-card payments totaling over $41,000 during the next two years.”
You have to do your own due diligence. I am just how the problems as they have happened and could continue to happen...like this one
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/banking-on-faith-cost-sharing-ministries-offer-obamacare-alternative/
“The groups have seen their share of controversy. Christian Healthcare Ministries was formerly known as Christian Brotherhood Newsletter until a scandal led to the 2004 removal of the group’s founder, the Rev. Bruce Hawthorn, and a lawsuit forced Hawthorn and other officials to repay $15 million spent on expensive houses, cars and other luxuries.”
2001 article
You miss the point. COMPLETELY
You join and are at risk for non coverage. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES. YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THAT..don’t pretend that an article that says 2001 isn’t relative
oh hey..there are many articles..hey 2016
https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-02-23/membership-for-health-sharing-ministries-soars-under-obamacare
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