May 26, 2026
There are real choices for those waiting for government to fix the US health care system
Alliance says the faith-based sharing model solves affordability, wellness and access problems without government involvement
WASHINGTON — The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries today urged Americans to consider Health Care Sharing Ministries as a practical and immediate solution to many of the systemic problems driving the nation’s continuing health care crisis.
The call comes as public debate intensifies around how to fix the nation’s health care crisis. Experts are offering commendable solutions, but the Alliance says every time there is a new government-sponsored remedy, things seem to get worse. Besides, why wait for the government to act when there is a readily available, family-friendly answer? The Alliance points out that millions of Americans are already turning to Health Care Sharing Ministries for greater flexibility, personal responsibility and wellness-focused care.
“Americans are increasingly frustrated with a health care system that often rewards sickness over wellness and bureaucracy over personal choice,” said Randall Hultgren, executive director of the Alliance. “Health Care Sharing Ministries provide families with a different path, one rooted in community, accountability and the freedom to pursue health care options that best align with their values.”
Health Care Sharing Ministries are nonprofit organizations in which members voluntarily share one another’s eligible medical expenses. Participants generally agree to shared religious or ethical standards and commit to healthy lifestyle choices that help strengthen the broader community.
The Alliance said that emphasis on wellness and prevention distinguishes Health Care Sharing Ministries from other health care models. Members are encouraged to make decisions that improve their physical, spiritual and financial well-being, while also supporting one another through prayer and community engagement.
The Alliance also pointed to growing interest in holistic care and Direct Primary Care arrangements, where patients pay physicians a monthly membership fee for ongoing access and preventive services. Advocates say the approach can improve doctor-patient relationships while reducing long-term costs.
“Many families are searching for more personalized and preventive approaches to health care, and Health Care Sharing Ministries help make those options more accessible,” Hultgren said. “Whether through holistic therapies, Direct Primary Care or stronger community support, these ministries encourage people to take ownership of their health before a crisis occurs.”
The Alliance said lawmakers and policymakers should continue exploring broader health care reforms to address access to care, overall affordability, tax parity, equal access to HSA benefits and the reversal of current incentive structures. However, the organization stressed that families do not need to wait for Washington to act before pursuing alternative models.
Supporters of Health Care Sharing Ministries argue that the sharing model restores a sense of personal connection and responsibility to health care decisions while reducing reliance on complex administrative systems.
“Health Care Sharing Ministries are proving that health care can be more personal, more transparent and more focused on wellness,” Hultgren said. “Families deserve options that empower them, strengthen communities and place people ahead of systems.”
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries is a 501(c)(6) trade organization representing the common interests of Health Care Sharing Ministries, which facilitate the sharing of health care needs — financial, emotional, and spiritual — by individuals and families. The Alliance engages with federal and state regulators, members of the media, and the Christian community to provide accurate and timely information on health care sharing.
To learn more about the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, visit www.ahcsm.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or X.
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To interview a representative from the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
