Why SMI? Bob Vanden Bosch and Shaun Lewis tell us
By Michael Miller · Jul 01, 2014
Bob Vanden Bosch had no trouble understanding what Samaritan Ministries was about when he decided to join.
He had lobbied on their behalf in the Illinois Legislature. And his daughter was a former member of Samaritan.
But it wasn’t until the advent of the Affordable Care Act that he had to consider joining Samaritan. “Reverend Bob” was on the staff of Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church in suburban Chicago while serving as a family values lobbyist in Springfield. After an audit, the church was told that he didn’t qualify for their health insurance plan because he didn’t spend enough time working there.
“I am one of those people who lost their insurance because of the ACA,” he says.
Knowing about Samaritan made his transition to health care sharing easy.
“I feel more comfortable with Samaritan Ministries than I do with what’s happening in the insurance industry right now,” he says. “I’m very grateful for the ministry of Samaritan Ministries to our family.”
Shaun Lewis, who ministers to Illinois lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, and others in Springfield through Civil Servant Ministries, was familiar with Samaritan as well, since he was a native of Peoria, where SMI is based. He knew various Christians around the area who were members and also met Samaritan Public Policy specialist John Creath at a convention. His conversation with John about health care sharing made an impression on him, especially as his family’s health insurance rates “continued to skyrocket.”
“I had a hard time justifying the amount of money I was spending on premiums for health insurance,” Shaun says. “I spent so much time raising support just for a premium.”
At that time, he was paying an $800 monthly premium for his family of five plus depositing $200 monthly in a health savings account, all of which he “hardly ever used.”
He decided it was time for a change and signed up with Samaritan.
Both ministers see the ministry aspect of Samaritan clearly.
“I’m excited that we have a group of believers who are all trying to take care of one another’s needs,” Shaun says. “I’m excited that the monthly share truly goes to others with needs as opposed to driving up corporate earnings.”
While neither Bob nor Shaun has yet submitted a need, Bob has seen how his daughter’s needs were met.
“She probably had every bit as much shared as any insurance company would have covered, but it was done by people who sent cards and letters of encouragement to her,” he says. “It was a blessing to be a part of that.”