Montana House OKs 2 pro-sharing bills

Two bills that help health care sharing ministries–one to grant them exemption from state regulation as insurance companies, the other to grant tax exemptions for HCSM members–have been approved by the Montana House of Representatives.

Samaritan Vice President James Lansberry testified before a House committee recently about the bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Cary Smith of Billings.

The Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, of which Samaritan is a member and which is led by Lansberry, is encouraging states to change their tax codes so that HCSMs are given equal treatment with health insurance. The goal is to achieve personal and business deductibility for HCSM payments; tax-free fringe benefits for employer-provided HCSM membership; and nontaxability of gifts received from HCSM members to assist with medical expenses.

Another Alliance goal is to protect HCSMs from being regulated as insurance companies, since the ministries do not offer insurance.

One inaccuracy came in a paragraph about a comment from a representative who voted against the bill. Either he or the reporter mistakenly said that HCSMs “pool” money, which is inaccurate.

We’re grateful to those who voted for the bills and pray that bills HB30 and HB153 will continue through the Montana Senate and be signed by the governor.