WASHINGTON — The Tennessee legislature is standing tall for freedom of choice in health care after Governor Lee signed the Healthcare Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act, on March 7. State Senator and bill sponsor Shane Reeves (R-Dist. 14) said the bill “protects access to faith-based health care for Tennessee members of health care sharing ministries.” The bill was also sponsored by Rep. Todd. The legislation directly affects more than 28,000 Tennesseans who are members of a Health Care Sharing Ministry.
“This new law declares that Health Care Sharing Ministries are not health insurance. It ensures not only religious liberty and health care flexibility, but it shows in a very tangible way that on this issue Tennessee is committed to health care freedom of choice,” said Katy Talento, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries (The Alliance, ahcsm.org).
Among other things, the Healthcare Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act clarifies that HCSMs are not health insurance for purposes of Tennessee law.
On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Senate passed the bill on a 27 to six vote.
The new law:
- Clarifies that Health Care Sharing Ministries are not insurance, and therefore not subject to the insurance code or associated regulations. This is similar to the state code of 31 other states that have adopted safe harbors for HCSMs.
- Preserves HCSMs as a viable choice for Tennesseans who are seeking a health care solution that is consistent with their religious beliefs.
- Clarifies for consumers that HCSMs are not insurance and helps distinguish HCSMs from other organizations in the marketplace.
- Preserves all already-existing enforcement authority of the Attorney General to go after bad actors.
“Words matter. Health Care Sharing Ministries are not health insurance,” Talento says.
“This preserves the liberty of Tennesseans to choose their own health care options, such as Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs), instead of being coerced into Obamacare or other insurance plans, where their precious family resources could be used on procedures that violate their religious beliefs.
“Make no mistake,” Talento concludes. “This is about more than Health Care Sharing Ministries. It shows that Tennessee lawmakers are willing to protect voluntary health care freedom in the Volunteer State.”
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries is a 501(c)(6) trade organization representing the common interests of Health Care Sharing Ministry organizations which are facilitating the sharing of health care needs (financial, emotional, and spiritual) by individuals and families, and their participants. The Alliance engages with federal and state regulators, members of the media, and the Christian community to provide accurate and timely information on health care sharing.
To learn more about the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, visit www.ahcsm.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
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To interview a representative from The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105.
To interview a representative from The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105.
