WASHINGTON — The West Virginia legislature is standing tall for freedom of choice in health care after Gov. Jim Justice signed the Healthcare Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act, on March 27.
The House had passed HB 4809 on a vote of 95 to zero on Feb. 19, followed by the Senate’s passage of the bill on a 29 to two vote on Feb. 26.
“We want to thank Del. Mike Hornby (R-Berkely) in the House and Sen. Michael Azinger (R-Wood) for being lead sponsors on this important legislation,” said Katy Talento, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries (The Alliance, ahcsm.org). “We also want to thank the cosponsors and Gov. Justice for recognizing the importance of this action.
“This new law recognizes 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 West Virginia is committed to health care freedom of choice.”
The new law:
- Clarifies that Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) are not health insurance for purposes of West Virginia law, and therefore not subject to the insurance code or associated regulations. This is similar to the state code of 32 other states that have adopted safe harbors for HCSMs.
- Preserves HCSMs as a viable choice for West Virginians 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.
- Specifies that members of HCSMs who are students at public institutions of higher education are exempt from any requirement to enroll in health insurance.
“Words matter. Health Care Sharing Ministries are not health insurance,” Talento says.
“This law preserves the liberty of West Virginians 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.”
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.