April 28, 2025
Rising health insurance premiums are breaking family budgets
‘Samaritan Ministries’ health care sharing is an affordable option that makes more sense than ever. Christians can save money, stay out of debt and have more medical options,’ says Anthony Hopp, SMI’s vice president and chief purpose officer
PEORIA, Ill. — Americans are paying more than ever for health insurance, whose cost is rising faster than inflation.
In 2025, private health insurance plans are expected to rise 7% from 2024, costing Americans an average of $621 a month, or $7,452 per year.
Average monthly premiums for families with employer-provided health coverage in California’s private sector nearly doubled over the last 15 years, from just over $1,000 in 2008 to almost $2,000 in 2023, a KFF Health News analysis of federal data shows.
“With health insurance premiums soaring, Samaritan Ministries’ health care sharing is an affordable option that makes more sense than ever. Christians can save money, stay out of debt and have more medical options,” says Anthony Hopp, vice president and chief purpose officer of Samaritan Ministries (Samaritanministries.org, SMI).
“Hard-pressed families are getting help in meeting their medical expenses through Samaritan Ministries’ health care sharing. Members also receive prayers and the support of a Christian community through their health care needs — something not offered by insurance companies.”
The spike is not confined to California. Average premiums for families with employer-provided health coverage grew as fast nationwide as they did in California from 2008 through 2023, federal data show. Premiums continued to grow rapidly in 2024, KFF reported.
Premiums on Covered California have grown about 25% since 2022, roughly double the pace of inflation.
Rising premiums have also hit government workers and taxpayers. Rising insurance costs are cutting deeper into family incomes and squeezing small businesses.
“Private health insurance has become more concentrated among fewer, larger insurers and care providers,” The Epoch Times reported. “The six largest health insurers in the country accounted for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. health care spending in 2023—an increase from 10 percent in 2011, according to an analysis conducted by Axios.
“This may result in higher premiums, decreased access to affordable health insurance, and fewer options for consumers,” John Dicken of the Government Accountability Office wrote on Dec. 5, 2024.
“Samaritan Ministries is not insurance, so our members don’t deal with the same issues that plague health insurance policyholders. Health care sharing gives our members more choices than health insurance, with no in-network restrictions and more flexibility for alternative medicine and practitioners, putting control of care back in the hands of our members.
“Doctors and hospitals are happy to be paid in cash, which reduces red tape and expenses for them so they can offer discounts, sometimes steep discounts, which consequently save our members money. Government-mandated transparency for hospital expenses makes the whole process easier.”
Since its founding in 1994, Samaritan Ministries International has helped tens of thousands of families and individuals enjoy health care freedom by allowing them to choose medical providers and treatments at reasonable cost and without network restrictions while following a biblical pattern of caring for one another’s medical needs.
Accredited by the Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board, Samaritanhas an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau,and serves more than 250,000 members across almost 80,000 households.
Samaritan Ministries is not health insurance. Government exchange-based health insurance requires signups to occur only during open enrollment periods unless one qualifies for a special enrollment period due to a “life event” such as losing coverage, getting married, moving, or having a baby. In contrast, individuals can sign up with Samaritan Ministries at any time.
Samaritan Ministries members are exempt from insurance coverage mandates and penalties in those states that have them (i.e., California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.).
Samaritan Ministries health care sharing offers many advantages, including:
- No network restrictions. Samaritan members have the freedom of choice for their health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that works best for them.
- The unique direct-sharing approach does more than just help members financially, it also encourages a biblical community based on prayer. Due to member efforts, monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than health insurance premiums.
To understand how health care sharing is not insurance, and to understand the differences from insurance, prospective members are required to review Samaritan ministry guidelines before joining Samaritan.
To learn more about Samaritan Ministries International visit the Samaritanwebsite at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or X.
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To interview a representative from Samaritan Ministries International, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
