From books to clothes, back-to-school prep is more expensive than ever, but providing for children’s health care doesn’t have to be

August 9, 2022

PEORIA, Ill. —August is National Back to School Month, and families are busy getting their children ready for the new school year. Unfortunately, many parents are stunned at the rise in back-to-school expenses. The average back-to-school spending per household in the United States is now estimated at $865 — a significant increase from the reported $360 in 2004, according to statista.com.

“While rising costs for everything, including education, can be overwhelming, health care doesn’t have to be. Families can save hundreds of dollars each month helping one another through Samaritan Ministries’ health care sharing and use the saved money for education needs,” said Anthony Hopp, chief purpose officer at Samaritan Ministries International (Samaritan, www.samaritanministries.org). “With inflation continually rising, saving on health care is needed more than ever.”

Only 36% of parents in a national survey said they can comfortably afford their children’s back-to-school shopping, down from 52 percent in 2021, according to USA Today. The survey also found that more than 37% of parents are stressed about back-to-school shopping — up from 32% in 2021.

“We know times are tough right now,” Hopp said. “Samaritan is all about Christians helping other Christians in difficult times and giving people more choices. Members can save on health care costs and can apply those savings to other needs. We hear often from Samaritan members who tell us they appreciate not only the economy of health care sharing but how it can facilitate ministry and other uses for their money.”

Samaritan received this note from Maria in Michigan:

“I appreciate being part of Samaritan Ministries. It is a beautiful way to take care of medical needs in a way that almost anyone can afford. It was a great inspiration when it began but is even more so now that the health care situation is so disordered. Let us pray that God inspires many more Christian solutions to heal our health care system.”

James & Abigail of Illinois wrote:

“We have truly appreciated Samaritan Ministries and its place in our life. We continue to be blessed by how we are able to seek out medical help when needed and not be bound by an insurance company and who we may see! When we have needed help, it has been simple to receive the answers we have needed from Samaritan and everyone is always so kind and helpful!”

Susie of Virginia shared:

“I thank the Lord my God, and I thank Samaritan Ministries for the help to pay my doctor bills by receiving from Samaritan members. God bless you all for making this possible.”

Samaritan Ministries currently has a membership of 282,541 individuals from 83,700 households.

Samaritan has no limited enrollment period. Government exchange-based health insurance requires signups to occur only during open enrollment periods unless one qualifies for a special enrollment period due to a “life event” such as losing coverage, getting married, moving, or having a baby.

Samaritan Ministries health care sharingoffers additional advantages:

• No network restrictions. When medical care is needed, Samaritan members choose the health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that work best for them.
• The direct-sharing approach allows members to not only help fellow believers with their medical financial needs but to pray for and connect with them on a regular basis.
• Monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than insurance.

Samaritan gives people of Biblical faith an effective, Bible-driven health care community in which approximately $30 million in medical needs is shared person to person every month. Over the past 27 years, Samaritan Ministries members have shared more than $3 billion in needs while also praying for and encouraging fellow members through personal notes, cards and letters.

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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