HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE

Hearing Date: March 9, 2021 10:30 AM Printed on: March 15, 2021 3:09 PM COMMENTS FOR: HB 573

Gregory Justice Self, retired Wylie, TX

This week, the legislature is beginning consideration of a misguided piece of legislation, HB 573. This legislation would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan.

Nearly 150,000 Texans have chosen a faith-based alternative to health insurance. They shouldn’t be regulated like insurance with all its costly mandates and restrictions. These communities are led by faith and stay true to their biblical beliefs in their health care choices. Don’t take this community of spiritual and financial support away from the citizens of Texas.

I urge you to fix HB 573 to allow Texans choice in health care.

I know you will do the right thing.

Thank you.

Joyce Justice Self, retired Wylie, TX

This week, the is beginning consideration of a misguided piece of legislation, HB 573. This legislation would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan.

Nearly 150,000 Texans have chosen a faith-based alternative to health insurance. They shouldn’t be regulated like insurance with all its costly mandates and restrictions. These communities are led by faith and stay true to their biblical beliefs in their health care choices. Don’t take this community of spiritual and financial support away from the citizens of Texas.

I urge you to fix HB 573 to allow Texans choice in health care.

I know you will do the right thing.

Thank you.

Eric Ludwig

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American Benefit Specialist San Antonio, TX

This week, the Texas legislature is beginning consideration of a misguided piece of legislation, HB 573. This legislation would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan. Nearly 150,000 Texans have chosen a faith-based alternative to health insurance. They shouldn’t be regulated like insurance with all its costly mandates and restrictions. These communities are led by faith and stay true to their biblical beliefs in their health care choices. Don’t take this community of spiritual and financial support away from the citizens of Texas. I urge you to fix HB 573 to allow Texans choice in health care. I know you will do the right thing. Thank you.

Joseph Consford, Mr Self San Augustine, TX

There are over 150,000 Texas who use health care sharing ministries. This bill is misguided and it would hurt the ability of Texas Christians to choose a health care option that matches their budget and beliefs. As introduced it would grant unlimited power to the department of insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Heath care sharing ministries. This would infringe upon the first amendment rights of every Texan. The bill would empower bureaucrats to constrain, regulate, or shut down Christian Health care charities that have served the people of Texas for 30 years. Members of the Texas insurance committee should work with the ministries to amend the language of HB 573 to protect the freedom of these ministries to serve the 150,000 members in Texas. HCSM are not for everyone, but they should continue to be a choice for the people of Texas as they are for millions of Americans accros the country.

Cheryl Engler self unemployed Houston, TX

Dear Representative Oliverson, My name is Cheryl Engler from Houston and I’m a proud member of a Health Care Sharing Ministry for the last 3 years. My spouse suffers from diabetes and OneShare has provided us with an affordable way to see qualified physicians to manage this life threatening disease. I shopped for affordable care private insurance and for him alone is double what we pay for us both. Not to mention that private insurance is very vague it what it actually covers. We should be able to make that choice and have religious freedom. This week, the Texas legislature is beginning consideration of a misguided piece of legislation, HB 573. This legislation would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan. Nearly 150,000 Texans have chosen a faith-based alternative to health insurance. They shouldn’t be regulated like insurance with all its costly mandates and restrictions. These communities are led by faith and stay true to their biblical beliefs in their health care choices. Don’t take this community of spiritual and financial support away from the citizens of Texas. I urge you to fix HB 573 to allow Texans choice in health care. I know you will do the right thing. Thank you.

Page 2 of 5 COMMENTS FOR: HB 573

Larry White self small business owner Houston, TX

Dear Representative Oliverson, My name is Larry White from Houston and I’m a proud member of a Health Care Sharing Ministry for the last 3 years. I suffers from diabetes and OneShare has provided us with an affordable way to see qualified physicians to manage this life threatening disease. I shopped for affordable care private insurance and for him alone is double what we pay for us both. Not to mention that private insurance is very vague it what it actually covers. We should be able to make that choice and have religious freedom. This week, the Texas legislature is beginning consideration of a misguided piece of legislation, HB 573. This legislation would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan. Nearly 150,000 Texans have chosen a faith-based alternative to health insurance. They shouldn’t be regulated like insurance with all its costly mandates and restrictions. These communities are led by faith and stay true to their biblical beliefs in their health care choices. Don’t take this community of spiritual and financial support away from the citizens of Texas. I urge you to fix HB 573 to allow Texans choice in health care. I know you will do the right thing. Thank you.

Zhaoqi Zhang Metro Home Inspection Service Mckinney, TX

This legislation would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan.

TODD WOMACK Self - Real Estate Broker Houston, TX

INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF TEXAS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE A FAITH BASED HEALTH SHARING PLAN, WITHOUT MORE FEES AND RESTRICTIONS FROM OUR STATE. THE STATE OF TEXAS SHOULD PROTECT OUR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR FAITH BASED PLANS SUCH AS ONE SHARE HEALTH. NOTHING IS MORE LIKE TEXAS VALUES THAN CITIZENS BANDING TOGETHER TO HELP SHARE BURDENS AND EXPENSES AS A GROUP.

ADDING MORE FEES OR REGULATIONS PUTS AN UNNECESSARY BURDEN ON THIS FAITH BASED HEALTH SHARING NETWORK, AND IT LIMITS OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES SEEKING SUCH FAITH BASED OPTIONS.

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS A FOUNDING RIGHT OF OUR COUNTRY AND OF TEXAS ALSO, MAKE SURE TO PROTECT THESE RIGHTS IN FIXING THIS HB 573.

Don Stroud Self Leander, TX

Page 3 of 5 COMMENTS FOR: HB 573

Chair: Rep. Vice Chair: Rep. Members: Rep. Jessica González Rep. Lacey Hull Rep. Rep. Rep. Rep. Ramon Romero Rep.

Chairman Oliverson and Committee Members:

Texas House Bill HB 573 undermines the freedoms of Texans to exercise personal responsibility in serving their neighbors in need and choosing a health care option that matches their budget and their beliefs.

As introduced, this bill would grant unlimited power to the Department of Insurance to impose burdensome restrictions on Health Care Sharing Ministries, infringing upon the First Amendment rights of every Texan.

My family and I are pleading with you: Preserve the community of spiritual and financial support over 150,000 Texans realize through our ministry by tabling HB 573.

Sincerely,

Don & Karen Stroud Leander, Texas

Cameron Duncan, Associate General Counsel Texas Hospital Associaton Austin, TX

The Texas Hospital Association supports HB 573, as filed. Health care sharing ministries are products marketed to consumers that resemble health insurance, but without the regulatory oversight and extensive consumer protections of traditional health insurance. HB 573 will result in meaningful oversight of health care sharing ministries by the Texas Department of Insurance, help ensure honest and accurate marketing practices and provide some basic, needed transparency.

Health care sharing ministries are faith-based membership organizations that pool monthly member contributions to help pay for members’ medical bills. They resemble health insurance, but are not regulated by the state and lack essential consumer protections, such as guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, protections against surprise medical bills and remedies for non-payment or denials of benefits. These products often cover a fraction of the care their members receive, leaving members with significant unpaid medical bills and no recourse. Health care sharing ministries often enter into agreements with large, nationwide networks, leading members to believe they are receiving care in-network. However, because health care sharing ministries are not health insurance plans, they are not obligated to honor the payment rates negotiated with providers. Due to their significant coverage limitations, hospitals generally treat patients with coverage through health care sharing ministries as uninsured, self-pay patients.

One hospital, Children’s Health in Dallas, shared their experience with health care ministries, noting that families of their patients are often unaware of the coverage limitations until they present at the facility and realize they are out-of-network and considered self-pay. Families have also reported widespread encouragement by health care sharing ministries for their members to apply for coverage through Medicaid—and then to deny coverage to members—despite Medicaid being the payor of last resort. Children’s

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Health has spent an extraordinary amount of administrative time managing this patient population. It includes coordination among team members from Patient Access, Managed Care, Patient Financial Services, Financial Counseling, Social Work and Case Management that far exceeds those of other payors. Reimbursement often does not cover the cost of care, and unlike traditional health coverage, these health care sharing ministries have lifetime maximums.

THA appreciates Rep. Oliverson’s efforts to bring health care sharing ministries under the oversight of TDI, to further consumer awareness and to increase transparency regarding membership, contributions and payment. It is important for Texans to understand that health care ministries do not offer comprehensive health insurance coverage. Further, holding health care ministries accountable for their marketing claims and financial practices are welcome steps towards protecting the public.

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