ASHLAND —
A Christians-only health-care ministry Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate ordered to cease operating in Kentucky may soon be back in operation thanks to a bill expected to be approved by the 2013 Kentucky General Assembly. If so, a few selected consumers will have another option in seeking affordable health-care coverage.
Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Buford, R-Nicholasville, is the General Assembly’s response to Wingate’s order that Florida-based Medi-Share close in Kentucky because it did not comply with state insurance regulations. Wingate’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Department of Insurance. However, SB 3 exempts Medi-Share and other similar religious organizations from state insurance regulations.
If adopted, legislators will be agreeing with Medi-Share’s contention it is not an insurance company and never claimed to be one. Instead, it is a large group of individuals who voluntarily agree to share medical expenses. The bill requires Medi-Share and other similar entities to fully inform participants that “sharing of medical expenses is not insurance.”
Instead of being an insurance company, Medi-Share calls itself a “ministry” that allows subscribers who pledge to live Christian lives with no smoking, drinking, using drugs or engaging in sex outside of marriage to voluntarily contribute to a fund to pay the medical expenses of participants.
Medi-Share has never guaranteed subscribers it will pay all their medical expenses. However, it would help pay medical costs as long as funds remain available.
Wingate’s ruling appeared to be the final nail in the coffin for Medi-Share in Kentucky. After all, Medi-Share had lost every legal challenge to its right to operant in Kentucky.
SB 3 does not change the regulations for medical insurance providers in Kentucky. Instead, it exempts Medi-Share and any other similar cost-sharing programs operating in the state from the insurance regulations because they are not insurance companies.
Medi-Share is not for everyone. Indeed, even some devout Christians would not qualify because of existing health problems. However, as long as subscribers are fully aware of how Medi-Share operates, we think it should be able to operate in Kentucky. Indeed, those who don’t drink, smoke or abuse drugs and are monogamous are likely to be healthier than most other Kentuckians. In a sense, Medi-Share is offering a reward for healthy living. For some, that’s a good enough incentive to live a healthy lifestyle.
Editorials
Not insurance
Bill would allow Medi-Share to again operate in Kentucky
- Editorials
-
-
Congress listens
For those who think our politicians in Washington, D.C., seldom or never listen to their constituents, particularly when it is comes to federal regulations, we offer a note of encouragement.
-
Resentencing
The U.S. District Court of Appeals has rightly ruled that even those sentenced for crack cocaine violations before the approval of a 2010 law that restored a bit of sanity and fairness to federal sentencing laws can be resentenced under the 2010 law.
-
It's the law
On Jan. 22, Greenup County voters — or at least those who took time to cast ballots in the special referendum — rejected a proposal that would have allowed the legal sale of alcohol in the county by a rather convincing margin of 4,872-3,830.
-
Retiring
As members of the Ashland Board of City Commissioners look for a replacement for retiring City Manager Stephen W. Corbitt, they should seek someone just like Corbitt.
-
On the increase
It’s certainly good news that a new report by Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet has found the economic impact of tourism grew by 5.2 percent in eastern Kentucky in 2012, outpacing the overall statewide growth rate. However, we would be more excited bout the report if we had more confidence in how tourism spending is calculated by state government.
-
After the crash
Like thousands of other Kentuckians, we remember well May 14, 1988, when a drunken driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 71 near Carrollton struck a church bus returning home to Radcliff after day at King’s Island, causing one of he most deadly vehicle accidents in this nation’s history. The horrific crash killed 27, many of them teenagers, and injured 34 others.
-
High price tage
Much has been said and written about the rapid and dramatic decline of air passenger service at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport. Much less has been said and written about the tremendous economic impact the loss of air service has had on the entire region.
-
Return of pencils
It is a question asked by all of us whose lives and jobs are dependent on computers with email and Internet access, fax machines, cellphones and other other electronic essentials of this modern age: What do you do when the electronic devices fail?
-
Banned
If you live in Boyd and Lawrence counties and are thinking of burning trash, wood, leaves or other debris outdoors, here’s a word of advice: Don’t even think about lighting that match. If you do, it could cost you dearly.
-
Few citations
When the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly approved a bill banning texting while driving and cellphone use for drivers younger than 18, there was widespread public support for both restrictions.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Congress listens
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
