The Religious Alternative To Obamacare's Individual Mandate

[rug]

by NPR Staff
September 28, 2013 6:40 PM

The Affordable Care Act requires nearly every American to have health insurance or pay a penalty, beginning Jan. 1. The so-called "individual mandate" has been controversial ever since the law was passed.

But for people who fall into a few select categories, the mandate doesn't apply. Like Native Americans who get health coverage through the Indian Health Service, or people who are incarcerated.

Another exception is for members of "health care sharing ministries," a way for individuals with a "common set of ethical or religious beliefs" to share medical bills.

Sharing Health Burdens

The sharing ministries are not insurance: there's no guarantee that a given bill will be covered. Instead, it's like a co-op, where members decide what procedures to cover, and then all pitch in to cover the cost as group.

http://www.npr.org/2013/09/28/227238887/the-religious-alternative-to-obamacares-individual-mandate

7:43 audio at link.

[kestrel91316]

1. I think this covers the Amish. They refuse to purchase insurance of any kind. And when

a member has financial burdens die to illness/injury, natural disaster, or other things, the whole community kicks in to cover the bills.

They are the closest thing I know (other than the Hutterites) to the socialism preached by Jesus.

[rug]

2. That's who I was thinking of. IIRC they're also exempt from Social Security.

[kestrel91316]

3. Yep.