Vermont Business Magazine Representative Conor Casey (D-Washington-4) and Senator Becca White (D-Windsor) have introduced companion bills in the Vermont House and Senate to protect consumers from misleading and inadequate coverage by Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs).
House Bill 102 and its Senate counterpart would require HCSMs operating in Vermont to register annually with the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), submit financial and membership reports, and disclose their limited coverage so Vermonters can make informed decisions about their health care.
“These unregulated entities market themselves as alternatives to health insurance, often cloaked in religious language to avoid scrutiny,” said Rep. Casey. “Time and again, people are left holding the bag when they need care the most - paying into these plans only to find out there’s no guarantee of coverage. This bill is about transparency and consumer protection.”
Health Care Sharing Ministries are not health insurance. While they collect monthly fees from members, they operate outside state regulation and often deny claims, even for serious health diagnoses. Complaints about these ministries have been growing nationwide.
Senator Becca White, lead sponsor of the Senate bill, added, “Vermonters deserve to know what they’re buying when it comes to their health care. Too many of these plans have left people vulnerable in their most difficult moments. Our bill ensures people get the information they need - and the accountability they deserve.”
National advocates voiced strong support for Vermont’s legislation.
“Health Care Sharing Ministries prey on citizens in search of care, using overt appeals to religion as a veil to avoid criticism and regulation,” said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus. “Now more than ever, we need state leaders to ensure consumers have accurate information when making critical health care decisions.”
Fish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association and the Center for Freethought Equality, called the legislation long overdue: “Denying vulnerable people coverage - and defrauding them when they need it most - is beyond reproach. This bill adds robust measures to protect Vermonters and promote accountability.”
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) also backed the bill. “HCSMs do not provide quality, affordable health insurance,” said Ernie Davis, Senior Director of Northeast Government Affairs at LLS. “There are many examples of failing plans leaving patients stranded after serious diagnoses.”
Vermont Legal Aid’s Chief Health Care Advocate Mike Fisher added, “At our office, we routinely hear from Vermonters who mistakenly believe they’re covered - only to find out when it’s too late that these ministries don’t pay. Many of them could have purchased real health insurance for less. This legislation is crucial to protect Vermonters.”
MONTPELIER, VT — March 31, 2025
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