HDNet's 'Dan Rather Reports' Investigates an Alternative to Health Insurance

"Do Unto Others" sheds some light on Health Care Sharing Ministries and whether or not they are a viable alternative to mandated health care - Tuesday, March 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET

News provided by

HDNet

Mar 17, 2011, 10:59 ET

DALLAS, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The topic of affordable health care for all has been at the forefront of the U.S. political landscape for years and Tuesday's "Dan Rather Reports" will take a look at one alternative to the government-mandated insurance included in President Obama's Health Care bill.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

For almost thirty years, so-called "health care sharing ministries" have existed as a way for Christians to share each other's medical bills, and avoid paying for other people's treatments they find morally objectionable. But the Affordable Care Act's mandate that every American buy health insurance threatened to put the ministries out of business. Who would sign up if they already had insurance? So the ministries lobbied Congress and got a carve-out for their members. And whether they intended it or not, that carve-out opened up a huge market: Americans who want to resist the health care law by "opting out." The ministries are gaining more followers every day.

This is how the system works. Instead of sending a monthly premium payment to one's insurance company, your monthly fee – just $135 for an individual, plus a $170 annual administrative fee – is instead sent directly to a person in need. The ministries require that each member agree to sign a "Declaration of Faith" and to prove that he or she goes to Church. You must also promise not to smoke, take drugs or engage in extramarital sex.

"I get to write a check to an individual, and I know 100 percent of that money is going to help that individual," said Pastor Michael Holtzinger, who is a member of Samaritan International, the biggest of the health care sharing ministries.

But, there are many who believe that the long term financial security for these types of organizations is in serious doubt. Not to mention critics' accusations that care not reimbursed by the ministries may put additional burdens on an already taxed health care system.

"Uncompensated care is paid for by taxpayers who support the public health system, and by those of us who have health insurance," said Illinois State Insurance Director, Michael McRaith. "Our premiums are increased to cover the cost of those people who do not have health insurance."

Do these health care sharing ministries really provide a viable option to traditional health insurance, or are they an empty promise that draws in, and may leave hanging, Americans angry about changes in our health care system?

"Dan Rather Reports: Do Unto Others" premieres on HDNet, Tuesday, March 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore at 11:00 p.m. ET.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and thought-provoking content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including the network's Emmy Award winning HD news feature programs, "HDNet World Report," and "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence. HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries, airing as part of the "HDNet 'Round The World" series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2011.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com). "HDNet Fights" works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving fans their weekly fix for everything MMA, while "Fighting Words with Mike Straka" goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the sport. HDNet also features live coverage of regular season games from the United Football League.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Nickelback and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Girls Gone Wild®," "Deadline" and "Get Out!"

Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Kirsten Dunst, Ryan Gosling, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, and Verizon FiOS and in Canada via Access Communications, Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct.

The HDNet networks can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/HDNet, facebook.com/HDNetFights and facebook.com/HDNetMovies and via Twitter at twitter.com/hdnet, twitter.com/hdnetfights and twitter.com/hdnetmovies.

SOURCE HDNet