By Christopher Jin, President of WeShare by UHSM
Across America, millions are struggling to navigate a health insurance system that has become more confusing, restrictive, and expensive with each passing year. Politicians from both parties are starting to confront the increasing evidence that the system simply isn’t delivering for ordinary people.
When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was introduced, it promised affordability, yet it has done the exact opposite. Today, Americans are burdened by rising premiums, restrictive networks, confusing fine print, and complicated protocols. Health coverage should bring reassurance, not stress and confusion.
Unfortunately, people often mistakenly believe that the dysfunctional traditional healthcare model is all they have. It isn’t. There is a real, functional, community-driven alternative that helps everyday Americans without putting a drain on the U.S. taxpayer: the Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM).
What is Healthsharing and Why It Matters
Healthsharing is not insurance, it’s something better. HCSM’s operate as nonprofit, faith-driven organizations that facilitate member-to-member sharing of medical expenses. The focus is not on corporate profit but on community care. Members make set monthly contributions, which are then shared to support another member’s eligible medical needs.
The fundamental problem with the traditional insurance model is that the government, through giant insurance companies, has essentially inserted itself into the doctor’s office. Healthsharing rejects this transactional, corporate model. Instead of complex contracts and corporate policies, HCSMs are built on community, faith, and shared responsibility.
The Case for Tax Parity
Legislation now before Congress—the Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act—would simply allow healthsharing members to deduct their monthly contributions as medical expenses, just as those with traditional insurance can deduct their premiums. The passing of this legislative effort would ensure that all Americans who choose a viable healthcare alternative are treated equally under the law. This existing inequity is just wrong and this change is frankly, long overdue.
This simple act of legislative parity validates the choice of the estimated 1.7 million Americans who participate in health sharing and collectively assist with sharing over $1 billion in medical expenses each year.
And the timing is perfect. Because now, more than ever, Americans need a fair choice.
WeShare – a Smarter, Simpler Alternative
With traditional insurance, inherently the healthy people subsidize the unhealthy, but that doesn’t happen here at WeShare. Our members are rewarded for taking care of themselves with lower monthly contributions, yet still have the benefit of being covered should something unforeseen happen, just at much lower rates, while enjoying access to 1.2 million physicians nationwide. WeShare programs deliver the transparency and accountability the traditional system lacks by putting the patient back in the driver’s seat of their healthcare, allowing them to choose their providers and restoring the patient-doctor relationship. We also offer a solution for price transparency by negotiating inflated prices down to the true fair and just cost of care.
For Christians who prioritize affordability, simplicity, shared values, and holistic support, healthsharing is a powerful and logical alternative. We embrace the Christian call to care for one another, where members are united by shared values like generosity, compassion, and accountability.
WeShare’s programs are designed flexibility and clarity. Our members understand what their monthly contribution is, what their Annual Member Care Share (similar to a deductible) amount covers, and how the community will support them. There are no percentages to calculate or hidden fine print. Our programs combine compassionate care with practical convenience
Crucially, we support holistic care by including wellness and preventive care at a $0 consultation fee with no annual maximum. This commitment extends to mental health, offering access to services like Amwell Telehealth and BetterHelp counseling. And because the model is rooted in shared values, members take an active role in both their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
This is what happens when people—not corporations—define the rules.
A Better Way Forward
Healthsharing is proudly not trying to become insurance. Traditional insurance thrives in chaos and confusion, where we stand in the light of clarity and transparency. We offer healthcare in a way that is simpler, smarter, and centered around your needs.
Healthsharing is a more sensible alternative, but for our industry to continue growing Congress must modernize the tax code. The traditional health insurance industry has benefited from favorable tax conditions for too long. Tax parity can help level the playing field and give Americans the opportunity to liberate themselves from the world of high premiums and high denial rates and take charge of their own health.
