April 15, 2026
Medical debt can mean care delayed; SMI and REDEEM® HealthShare offer price transparency and self-pay discounts
‘Members can choose the health care that best fits their families without worrying about the ever-changing restrictions imposed by health insurance’
PEORIA, Ill. — Medical debt is a game-changer that can affect Americans’ health. About 23% of people with medical debt delayed medical care compared with just 5.3% of those without — about 4.3 times as many, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“For people and families with limited assets, even a relatively small unexpected medical expense can be unaffordable,” says KFF Health System Tracker. According to the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), 20 million people (nearly 1 in 12 adults) owe medical debt amounting to at least $220 billion.
People with medical debt report cutting spending on food, clothing and other household items, spending down their savings to pay for medical bills, borrowing money from friends or family members, or taking on additional debts, KFF polling shows.
About one-third (36%) of adults say that in the past 12 months, they have skipped or postponed getting health care they needed because of the cost, according to KFF. Three in four (75%) uninsured adults under age 65 say they went without needed care, also because of the cost.
“Samaritan Ministries International (SMI) and REDEEM® HealthShare Ministry don’t have to worry about what Big Insurance is going to do,” said Anthony Hopp, vice president and chief purpose officer of SMI. “SMI members can choose the health care that best fits their families without worrying about the ever-changing restrictions imposed by health insurance companies. SMI is not health insurance; it’s a Christian community that shares medical needs and helps people find affordable options.”
Why SMI and REDEEM HealthShare?
Samaritan Ministries has operated with affordability, based on a core of dependence on Jesus Christ and biblical transparency. SMI is also dedicated to transparency.
“SMI is recognized by the Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board, which examines dozens of critical organizational characteristics to determine if a healthcare sharing ministry meets the highest standards of quality and ethical business practices,” Hopp said.
Samaritan Ministries® Fair-Price Reward
Since 2017, Samaritan Ministries has had access to Valenz (formerly Healthcare) Bluebook, an online tool dedicated to health care cost transparency, to help Samaritan® members find fair pricing for medical procedures. Members are encouraged to compare the price of health care services and providers before receiving treatment.
Samaritan members can receive their reward either by using a Fair Price facility found in Valenz Bluebook or by getting the Fair Price on their bills, even if their facility isn’t in Valenz Bluebook.
“All SMI members benefit when fair pricing is found, helping keep monthly share amounts lower. When you receive a Fair Price on your shareable Need, you save money for your fellow Samaritan members,” Hopp said.
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.
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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.
