August 5, 2026
Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries applauds religious liberty actions, backs health freedom legislation
Justice Department guidance and Senate bill underscore importance of conscience protections and parental rights in health care decisions
WASHINGTON —The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries today applauded the Trump administration’s updated “Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty” guidance, saying it reinforces parental rights and freedom of conscience while complementing legislation intended to expand health freedom and patient autonomy.
The Department of Justice recently issued revised guidance directing executive branch agencies to strengthen religious liberty protections involving parental rights, church autonomy and religious exercise. The guidance reflects recent Supreme Court precedent involving the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and Title VII.
The Alliance also voiced support for S. 5128, introduced in the 119th Congress. According to background information supporting the measure, the bill would prohibit federal education funding for schools and educational agencies that refuse to recognize religious exemptions to vaccination requirements. It remains in committee.
The Alliance said the legislation advances health freedom by protecting individuals and families from one-size-fits-all medical mandates while preserving the ability to make medical decisions according to conscience. The background document says the bill would help ensure religious and conscience-based vaccination exemptions cannot be used to exclude students from federally funded schools.
“Religious liberty is essential to meaningful health care choice,” said Randall Hultgren, executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries. “Families should never have to surrender deeply held convictions in order to make medical decisions or access educational opportunities. We welcome policies that recognize conscience rights and protect parental authority.”
Hultgren added, “This administration’s renewed commitment to religious liberty, together with legislation such as S. 5128, helps safeguard the freedom of individuals and families to pursue health care decisions consistent with their faith and values. We encourage policymakers to continue advancing protections that preserve both health freedom and religious liberty.”
The Alliance noted that documented cases exist in which schools declined to recognize religious vaccination exemptions. It said S. 5128 would encourage institutions receiving federal funding to honor those exemptions and remove barriers preventing parents from making choices consistent with their beliefs.
The Alliance advocates for policies supporting religious liberty, health freedom and the ability of individuals and families to participate in health care sharing consistent with their convictions.
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 are facilitating the sharing of health care needs (financial, emotional, and spiritual) by individuals and families, and their participants. 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 Twitter.
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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.
