WASHINGTON — Right now, the Tennessee Senate needs to vote on an important bill, SB 0862, sponsored by Sen. Shane Reeves (R-Dist. 14), which would protect access to faith-based health care for more than 28,000 Tennessee members of Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs).
The Healthcare Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act would clarify that ministries are not health insurance for purposes of Tennessee law.
On March 23, 2023, the Tennessee House passed HB 1163, dubbing it the “Healthcare Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act.”
Now, SB 0862 is back, and The Alliance is asking Senators to finish the job.
Among other things, the proposed 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 similar language for HCSMs.
- Preserves HCSMs as a viable choice for Tennesseans who are seeking a healthcare solution that is consistent with their religious beliefs.
- Clarifies for consumers that HCSMs are not insurance and helps distinguish HCSMs from other options in the marketplace.
- Preserves all already-existing enforcement authority of the Attorney General to go after bad actors.
“It’s vital for the Tennessee Senate to pass the bill, not only to ensure the sustainability of Health Care Sharing Ministries but for the future of health care freedom,” Talento says. “Words matter. Health Care Sharing Ministries are not health insurance.
“Earlier, the full House and a Senate committee already passed HB 1163-SB 862, which 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, where their precious family resources could be used on procedures that violate their religious beliefs.
“Now it’s up to the Senate to do the right thing and pass this legislation and advance it to the Governor’s office for signature.
“Democrats and outside critics of health care freedom want to force more and more people onto Obamacare exchanges by stoking falsehoods and fears.
“Make no mistake,” Talento concludes. “This is about more than HCSMs. It is about whether Tennessee lawmakers are willing to protect 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.
