‘Never going back to insurance,’ say many health care sharing ministries members


In light of recent increased legislative decrees promoting abortion without restraint of any kind, such as Governor Cuomo’s new New York State law,  embattled Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s cry for no-restrictions abortion even after a child is born, and the increasing intensity of the Culture of Death throughout our health institutions and laws, and echoed in insurance provisions, understanding health care sharing ministries and alternative options for addressing medical expenses seems timely and much needed.

A common regret expressed by members of health care sharing ministry Samaritan Ministries is that they didn’t join sooner. Many members of Samaritan Ministries International, one of the leading health care sharing ministries in America, remember being hesitant at first to make the leap from insurance to health care sharing.

But now the bulk of Samaritan’s 78,000-plus member households—more than a quarter of a million individuals—have seen how Samaritan’s health care sharing process has worked over the past 23 years and are glad they made the move.

“It’s good to be concerned and want to know more about the intricacies of our health care,” said Anthony Hopp, vice president of external relations for Samaritan Ministries. “We all should be asking important questions about that: whether our God-given resources are being used for His glory, whether we honor God with our health care, and much more. Even those who have been members of Samaritan Ministries for many years now frequently had some hesitancy at the beginning. It is natural to be anxious about things that are outside the realm of the status quo. But, every day, we hear from members who are so glad they joined Samaritan—and only wish they had done it sooner.”

Joseph and Bethany from North Carolina echo the sentiment.  For them, it “felt a bit weird” when they “ditched health insurance” and switched to Samaritan Ministries.

“We weren’t sure how it would work out,” they said.

But now they speak with confidence, adding: “We just had our first significant medical expense, and receiving daily checks in the mail from other members is simply amazing. We’ve saved more than $12,000 in the past year compared to the cheapest, highest deductible bronze plan on the exchange. And our recent medical expense wouldn’t have even reached that deductible. Yet with Samaritan Ministries it is being fully shared.”

Kim from Michigan said it took her and her husband a while to “wrap our heads around” the concept of how Samaritan Ministries (or any health care sharing ministry) works.

“But after much research and prayer, it became obvious that Biblical health care, of course, is the only way to go!” they said. “What a joy to share in caring for and praying for others in the Body of Christ! After sharing our first need, we were blown away by the kind notes, prayers and financial provision. There is no concern or stress. We left that with the Lord, and the Body of Christ has blessed us immensely!”

Peter and Silena from Pennsylvania say joining Samaritan was their “best decision ever.”

Their only lament? “Sad we didn’t do it sooner after paying thousands of dollars for 12 years on private insurance,” they responded.

Philip from Oklahoma admitted he, too, transitioned from “insurance mode” with trepidation.

“Now I smile all the way to the post office (when I mail my check) and thank God for Samaritan Ministries,” he explained. “I really appreciate their ministry and the work they are doing for the Kingdom of God!”

Daniel and Mollie from Virginia reported that they’ve put Samaritan Ministries “to the test” twice, and the sharing process has worked better than they could have imagined.

“Getting cards and letters with prayers for healing, plus the money to pay bills, is indescribably comforting,” they noted. “(We) actually look forward to sending (our) share every month.”

Russell and Kim from Michigan said they are thankful to God for bringing them to Samaritan Ministries.

“We had never been involved in a health care sharing ministry, but after having been a part of it for several years now we wish we’d known about it and joined sooner,” they said. “Thank you for all you do to make this ministry what it is—Christians helping each other.”

Cory and Linda from Missouri also have had “extensive opportunity” to try out health care sharing and “see how it works.”

“What a blessing to receive the shares, notes and prayers from believers all around the country,” they said. “What a blessing it is to be on both the giving end and the receiving end of this process. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?

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