Bill > S0314

This bill, titled the "Healthcare Sharing Ministries Freedom to Share Act," proposes to add a new section to state law that defines a healthcare sharing ministry as a faith-based, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that facilitates the sharing of medical expenses among its participants. These ministries are characterized by their ability to match individuals with financial or medical needs with other participants who can contribute to those needs, or by directly providing for those needs through participant contributions. Crucially, the bill explicitly states that such a healthcare sharing ministry is not considered to be engaged in the business of insurance and therefore will not be subject to the state's insurance laws, clarifying that there is no assumption of risk or promise to pay between participants or by the ministry itself, and requiring a clear disclaimer to participants informing them that these arrangements are not insurance policies and that they remain personally responsible for their medical bills.