**News Release***
Health Care Sharing Transforming Members’ Budgets
Samaritan Ministries Members Report That Health Care Sharing Saves Them Thousands of Dollars Each Year
PEORIA, Ill.—A new report in the New York Times last week had the medical community buzzing after a health care economist surmised that health care spending in the U.S. began rising in 1980—and outcomes began deteriorating. The high inflation of the ’70s, unconstrained growth fueled by advances in medical technology, and longer life expectancies all contributed, according to article.
Rising costs, decreasing health freedoms, waning transparency and compromised care remain top concerns in the today’s health care landscape.
These were likely concerns for the more than 250,000 members who eventually joined Samaritan Ministries International (samaritanministries.org), one of the leading health care sharing ministries in America.
After becoming a part of Samaritan, everything about their health care changed for these members—including their finances.
“Christian families are interested in discovering more about health care sharing for a variety of reasons—being able to be more involved in their care, being a part of a Biblical community of believers that obeys Christ’s teachings about bearing one another’s burdens, and knowing monthly financial shares do not go toward medical practices that would displease God,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan Ministries’ vice president of external relations. “Members report back to us that being a part of Samaritan Ministries has truly transformed their family budgets. Oftentimes, health care costs are cut drastically after joining Samaritan, even upwards of two-thirds of what some were previously paying. We are blessed that for nearly a quarter of a century, Samaritan Ministries has enabled our members to not only honor God with their health care, but also to be good stewards of the financial resources He has entrusted to all of us.”
Each month, Samaritan Ministries’ 77,000 member households (251,000-plus individuals) pray and send notes, cards and monthly financial shares directly to other member families. In this way, Samaritan members share $27 million in medical needs each month through an effective, affordable and God-honoring ministry that has existed for 23 years. The monthly financial share has never exceeded $495 for a family of any size and is even less for couples and singles.
Many Samaritan members have reported to the ministry that, like Hopp said, health care sharing truly has transformed their budgets. Their only regret is that they didn’t start sooner.
“If I was ill or needed help, I still could not get care from a doctor because I could not afford $450 a month plus a $7,000 deductible,” said Christi from Texas. “Now I have health care!!! What is even better is that I LOVE writing a check each month to a brother or sister in need. That is much better and more fulfilling personally. It feels like a large Christian family watching out for each other, not a large corporation sucking out all my money with nothing in return.”
Joseph and Bethany from North Carolina reported that, a year ago, they “ditched health insurance and switched to Samaritan Ministries.”
“We weren’t sure how it would work out,” they said. “We just had our first significant medical expense, and receiving checks in the mail from other members is simply amazing. We’ve saved over $12,000 in the past year compared to the cheapest, highest deductible bronze plan on the exchange. And our recent medical expense wouldn’t have even reached that deductible. Yet with Samaritan Ministries, it is being fully shared.”
Susan from Virginia watched her family’s health insurance premium climb to more than $1,380 per month, and knew it was time to look for alternatives.
“We are only sad that we did not join Samaritan much earlier,” she said. “I had a kidney stone episode last year and received every penny (for my bills). I also love knowing that I am sharing my monthly share with people who share my values.”
Marian from New York also wishes she had joined Samaritan sooner.
“My family has been a member of Samaritan Ministries for two years,” Marian said. “We love it. My only regret is that I did not know about this wonderful ministry sooner!! I live in New York and my ACA plan was costing $2,000 a month with a $6,000 yearly deductible. I now share about $500 a month with Samaritan and I look forward to sending my monthly share, sending a note and praying for the person who is ill or the new baby born. What a blessing Samaritan Ministries has been!”
Sally from Missouri and her husband are in their early 50s and have four children under the age of 20. They both take maintenance medications daily and were seeing their health care expenses increase.
“We have saved thousands of dollars since being in Samaritan the past few years,” Sally wrote. “If we had insurance, we would be paying over $1,300 a month in premiums with a $6,000 deductible. I wish we had gone with Samaritan 10 years ago.”
Samaritan Ministries offers two membership levels, Samaritan Classic and Samaritan Basic. Samaritan Basic has a lower monthly share coupled with a higher initial unshared amount than Samaritan Classic. This gives both present and future members two options for choosing what they believe is best for their families—and their budgets. Monthly shares for Samaritan Basic start as low as $100 for one person, $200 for two people and $250 for a family of any size, depending on age. Some guidelines differ between Samaritan Basic and Samaritan Classic; contact Samaritan Ministries for details or visit this link.
Learn more about Samaritan Ministries International here; visit the Samaritan website at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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