Contact: Karen Granger, KFG Communications, Inc. 561-865-0908, 561-445-2596, Karen@karengranger.com; for Medi-Share
MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judge Thomas D. Wingate, a Franklin County Circuit Judge in Kentucky, has ruled in favor of Christian Care Ministry, allowing its Medi-Share program to continue operating in Kentucky.
The Kentucky judge ruled in favor of Medi-Share late Thursday, January 18, 2007.
The Medi-Share program brings Christians together to share the cost of their medical bills, and support one another with prayer and notes of encouragement. The program emphasizes healthy lifestyle choices as an approach to keep monthly contributions low.
In 2002, The Kentucky Department of Insurance asked the court to ban the not-for-profit religious organization's program from the state. The regulatory agency believed it was insurance and was subject to the same state laws that govern health insurance companies.
Judge Wingate said the Medi-Share program isn't insurance and therefore doesn't violate the state of Kentucky's insurance laws. The ruling read, "The publication materials of the Defendants (Medi-Share) and the testimony heard by this Court clearly establish that the Medi-Share program is a voluntary charitable, tax exempt organization designed to allow individuals, with the same religious beliefs to share in each other's medical expenses."
The Judge's ruling also stated that the Medi-Share program isn't insurance because, "it is apparent there has been no risk shifting" and therefore isn't subject to Kentucky's insurance laws.
Medi-Share President Robert Baldwin stated, "It's been four long years since this challenge began. We are pleased that Judge Wingate acted decisively by recognizing the true nature of Medi-Share--not being insurance, but a program in which Christian members share in one another's needs."
"The idea of sharing one another's needs is an instruction given to Christians in the book of Galatians, Chapter 6 verse 2 of the Bible." said Baldwin. "Medi-Share has been bringing Christians together since 1993 and its members have shared more than $250,000,000 with each other over that period."
Approximately 50,000 Christians residing in all 50 states as well as overseas missionaries belong to Medi-Share.
