Follow-up to NPR story

Columnist Britt Combs of the McDowell News in North Carolina writes a follow-up to the NPR story that aired last week.

Some highlights:

Here’s the really nifty thing: The money does not pass through the groups’ administrative hands. It goes directly from member to member.
(snip)
No force, no threats, no violence or coercion. And they save an enormous amount of money in the process. As it turns out (Surprise!), it’s cheaper and easier to do it yourself.
(snip)
Meanwhile Samaritans members are solving their own problems. James Lansberry, a spokesman for the group, said he is very concerned about Washington attempts to force everyone to buy into the government’s insurance scheme. He said his members are paying their own medical bills without asking for insurance or government help and should not be punished for it.