What's your take on this?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

I heard about this on the news last night. It is a "Christian health care" program. Evidently it works like this: instead of sending money each month to an insurance company, you send it directly to the folks who have a health need. So like if I have my gallbladder out I collect dozens of smaller checks from the members to pay my bills.

I am intrigued by the concept...

http://www.medi-share.org/program_options.aspx

[drm604]

1. It appears to discriminate against non-Christians.

That's not good.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Run! TG Run!

I looked at the site briefly and feel the need to say that anytime any one has to tell me that they are doing what they do because they are "very holy", I smell a scam artist and suspect whatever product or idea they are trying to sell me.

"Medi-Share is committed to offering biblically based healthcare solutions for the Christian community." What does that mean - biblically based?

Just be careful.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. Oh, don't worry...

I have good health insurance with a great HMO. But I'm intrigued and don't quite know what to think about it. Is this a legitimate thing or a scam? Can it work?

[Warpy]

3. It'll work just as well as all other voluntary charities have

and provide only a drop in the bucket of what is really needed to put out the conflagration of economic disasters caused by a piss poor health care system.

It would be wonderful if things could really work this way, wouldn't it? It's just too bad human nature and economic reality combine to thwart such an altruistic, decent, and thoroughly Christian plan.

People can be very generous when they feel they know the beneficiary, if the media or church has provided them with a picture and background story. They are far less so when it's a complete stranger and all they know is a name.

[charlie]

5. Sounds good

It also sounds kinda fragile. If the claims exceed premiums, there aren't any investment hedges like the insurance companies use to draw on. I suppose they'll have to use rationing, donation appeals, or somesuch. It'll be interesting to see how well this approach works.

[papau]

6. The Christian care folks go back a long way - when death benefits were

added (around 1750 AD) they still survived another 100 years - but "American" attitudes, even amoung Christians, about the young paying for the old, caused them to run out of money in the end.

The health situation is the same - the young in general have few costs, the old have many.

It is hard to keep it working if you are not in a separate society that replaces members leaving by death or whatever by adding new members.

Prior to the 1750's, when the church actually ran health care via the nuns, giving to the nuns worked fine for over a 1000 years. Sort of a proof that single payer National Health really works! :-)

[cosmik debris]

7. From the Disclaimer link

"Medi-Share is not insurance, it is a non-profit sharing ministry and is not guaranteed in any way."

Guarantees are good. If you need guarantees, this is not the plan for you.

[yellerpup]

8. Seems like pyramid scheme

No money accumulates and no one "administers" it. It will work at first, but I think it will have problems in the long run. IMHO

[NMMNG]

9. It gives me a rather ooky feeling

Many Christians have become frustrated with being forced to subsidize ungodly lifestyles through traditional insurance programs.


Medi-Share supports biblical lifestyles.
At Medi-Share, we challenge our members to live their lives according to simple, biblical principles of health and wellness. In fact, as part of the membership process, we'll ask you about things like eating and exercise habits. By doing so, we are able to ensure that your share amounts aren't going to fund unbiblical, unhealthy (and expensive) lifestyles.


Sounds very Big Brother. I wonder how far they go to determine how "Biblical" your lifestyle is and which Biblical standards they adhere to. Are gays automatically excluded? If you get divorced are you dropped from the program? Are pork and shellfish prohibited? Do you get a warning letter if you get spotted at McDonalds or seen buying a pack of Marlboros? Do you have to attend church and the gym so many times a year? :shrug:

[varkam]

11. Come on, Buffy

Are gays automatically excluded?

I'm guessing that's snark :)

[NMMNG]

12. Semi snark

Though it's partly a serious question based on what I read at their site:

What is the history of Medi-Share?

Our parent organization, the American Evangelistic Association (AEA), was founded as an association of churches, pastors, missionaries, staffs, and trained laity.


<snip>

What are the benefits of Medi-Share?

1. Good Stewardship

Most Medishare members are able to significantly cut their annual medical expenses, leaving them with more of their income to support their families and the Lord’s work.

2.You Will Not Be Subsidizing Unbiblical Lifestyles

Our Medishare members and their healthcare dollars do not subsidize abortions, drug addictions, or any other unbiblical lifestyles that inevitably lead to the premature destruction of the body, mind, and spirit.
http://www.medi-share.org/faq.aspx

[Random_Australian]

10. Fairly okayish, but with a few problems:

1) Discrimination seems to be inherit. Meh. Here is something much more problematic:

2) "As a ministry outreach, Medi-Share is self-regulated by an Administrative Board of Elders and a Board of Overseers"

Elders & Overseers are NOT good names, for two reasons.
A) What is the difference between a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a psychotherapist? The first two names imply legal obligations & codes of conduct. The third doesn't. In other words, you could use names like that to get out of legal obligations. (Or they could carry the same wieght, you have to check the law about that, I am no lawyer!)

B) With this whole we are not some evil corporation thing, they may have done something funky with liabilities with regards to the articles of incorporation. (Again, they might not have, this needs to be checked out)

So, in sum total, they may or may not be good or bad. Something very interesting, no doubt, but not something worth recommending. (yet)

My $0.05

[neebob]

13. Um, it's the new scariest thing I've ever seen?

Generally I try to stay clear of anything that has a Board of Overseers, and then there's Jim Bob Duggar test. If it sounds like something Jim Bob Duggar might be into, it's not for me.

[okasha]

14. Scary.

I'm not a lawyer, but this looks like a tontine--basically betting pool. A contributor is wagering that s/he'll get sick and be provided for by those who don't become ill. I'd question its legality. Any legal beagles about to speak authoritatively?