Kentucky health-sharing ministry bill revived

If the Medi-Share legislation wins final passage, Clark said the Department of Insurance would be willing to go back to court to get Wingate’s ban lifted.

“With these changes, it allows them to operate,” she said. “That is the bottom line.”

Buford said the legislation, which he sponsored, would allow about 800 Kentuckians to rejoin Medi-Share. The plan resembles secular insurance in some ways but only allows participation by people who pledge to live Christian lives with no smoking, drinking, using drugs or engaging in sex outside of marriage.

Medi-Share contends that its participants aren’t buying insurance but are involved in a charitable endeavor to help cover medical bills of fellow Christians and potentially have their own expenses covered should the need arise.

For the past decade, the Department of Insurance has been in the unenviable position of having to fight against the Christian cost-sharing ministry in a Bible-belt state. The agency took the case to court because of concerns that some Christians might mistakenly believe they’re paying into an insurance plan that guarantees coverage if they’re hospitalized. Medi-Share offers no such guarantee.

The legal battle between Medi-Share and Kentucky revolved around how tightly the state can regulate the Christian health care ministry that serves nearly 40,000 people in 48 states.

The Rev. David Atkisson, pastor of Grace Church in Elizabethtown, said he and his wife are hopeful that Medi-Share bill wins final passage.

“Without it, we wouldn’t have medical coverage,” Atkisson said.

Stumbo said he believes the measure could pass the full House before the Legislature adjourns. Several lawmakers publicly touted Medi-Share on Thursday as a less expensive alternative to traditional insurance plans.

“This is a very important social program,” said state Rep. Steve Riggs, D-Louisville. “They’re thinking outside the box.”