March 26, 2026
Uninsured? Applications to Samaritan Ministries International and REDEEM® HealthShare are accepted year-round; no open-enrollment deadlines apply
Samaritan Ministries and REDEEM HealthShare provide prayer, transparency, choice of providers
PEORIA, Ill. — Millions of Americans are facing enormous increases in their out-of-pocket costs for ACA coverage, according to health care researchers. And deadlines for enrolling in 2026 are now past. According to KFF Health News, 1.2 million fewer people signed up for Obamacare plans compared to last year; health policy analysts estimate more will lose coverage as they fail to pay their premiums.
“The cost of health care, including paying for health insurance and out-of-pocket expenses, tops the list of the public’s economic anxieties, rising well above other necessities,” according to a January poll from KFF. “Two-thirds of the public (66%) say they worry about being able to afford health care for them and their family, ranking higher than utilities, food and groceries, housing, and gas.”
“As 2026 unfolds, it’s clear that many people are concerned about how they will afford medical expenses,” said Anthony Hopp, vice president and chief purpose officer of Samaritan Ministries International (SMI). “Countless Americans rushed to meet federal enrollment deadlines that expired in mid-December.
“But SMI and REDEEM members don’t have these worries, as members are accepted year-round. Health care sharing is not health insurance. It is a Christian community coming together to share medical expenses. Our members are also encouraged by our staff and by each other’s prayers, notes and letters.”
In 2025, Samaritan® members reported saving $452,799,157 through discounts and attaining fair prices. Samaritan’s affordable, effective, God-honoring, direct-sharing approach is used by more than a quarter million members in nearly 80,000 households.
“Members appreciate the prayer support, transparency, reasonable monthly shares and choice of providers,” Hopp said. “Samaritan members say they are ‘happily uninsured’ and plan to stay that way.”
REDEEM HealthShare Ministry, a division of Samaritan Ministries International, provides a variety of programs for families — available for them to join at any time — that offer genuine, compassionate and personal service in the spirit of Christ.
What SMI members are saying:
Diane, from Montana, shared:
“It is so good to have financial needs met, but even better is knowing others are praying for us. It is also a privilege to be able to help others financially and prayerfully. Thank you, Samaritan. I love it when I call in and we always end with a prayer — your team is awesome!”
Ryan & Janeen, from Colorado, wrote:
“Samaritan Ministries made taking care of our health possible and more affordable for our family of 5. The process of supporting others’ needs and submitting a need is easy and member service is always readily available and caring.”
Since 1994, Samaritan Ministries International has taken a biblical approach to sharing one another’s burdens, helping more than a million Christians enjoy affordable health care freedom by choosing medical providers and treatments without network restrictions. Accredited by the Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board and rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, Samaritan Ministries serves more than 250,000 members. REDEEM HealthShare Ministry is a division of Samaritan Ministries International. Christian health care sharing is not health insurance anddoes not guarantee payment of medical bills by the ministry or its members. Participation in sharing is voluntary, and members remain personally responsible for their medical expenses.Prospective members must review each program’s guidelines and the state disclosures to understand how health care sharing differs from insurance.
To learn more about REDEEM HealthShare Ministry, visit the website at redeemhealthshare.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Instagram.
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To interview a representative from Samaritan Ministries International, contact Hamilton Strategies, media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
