U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), and Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced the Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act. This legislation aims to allow American taxpayers who are members of Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) to deduct payments made as part of their ministry membership on their taxes by classifying these expenses as eligible medical care expenses.
"Americans should have choices when it comes to their health care," said Rep. Kelly. "For many families, traditional insurance is a great option. For some, however, particularly people of faith, alternative options such as Health Care Sharing Ministries more closely align with their values." He emphasized that the legislation would preserve this choice for families by allowing them to deduct payments made as part of their ministry membership in their taxes.
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., highlighted the importance of expanding options for Americans to cover health care costs. "Individuals who opt to utilize health care sharing ministries deserve the same tax benefits those who have traditional health insurance enjoy," he said.
Rep. Smith pointed out that Americans have been historically penalized by the tax code when choosing faith-based health care sharing ministries. "The Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act will remedy this problem," he said.
Health Care Sharing Ministries are tax-exempt, faith-based charities that facilitate payments for medical care bills among members. An estimated 1.3 million Americans participate in these ministries, sharing over $1 billion in medical expenses annually. Currently, HCSM members cannot deduct membership expenses as medical expenses on their tax returns—a gap this bill seeks to address.
Learn more about the bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2062.
Information from this article can be found here.