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Reminds me a lot of the Bishop's Storehouse of LDS fame. I'm interested in your takes on the ethics (and morality even) of social services provided as a ministry but only to the elect. Personally, I think it's in effect, if not in intent, unchristian and unchristlike, but I can imagine possibly participating in it for financial reasons, and I know there are many who do so without having deeply investigated the spiritual implications. But then, I'm in favor of universal single-payer health insurance/care, and don't believe that having your own fire insurance ought to relieve one of the duty to support the Fire Department, nor that non-smokers should be allowed to pay a reduced tax rate for either one.

Is a certain faith required or just a marketing tool?

Leland, first I want to mention that it looks like BaptistLife somehow quadruple posted your post. Don't know if you noticed that.

Second, I don't know anything about the Bishop's Storehouse of the LDS fame, or very little about Medishare. (I found their web site , but haven't looked at it otherwise.) I am aware of a couple of families who participate in some kind of medical sharing. I don't see anything unchristian and un-Christlike about them trying to find something they can afford to help with the medical expenses of their family. You say you are in favor of a universal single-payer health insurance/care, but we in fact do not have that. We do not have affordable healthcare for everyone, so why would a family's attempt to find what is affordable for them be un-Christlike?

What's health care like in Dubai?

Sandy: " half of what is paid by everyone, healthy or not, goes to the profit margin."

This is a nonsensical statement.

I know a few colleagues who are in some type of medical sharing plan. They are happy. Premiums are much lower. I don't know a lot about the plans but I suspect that it is unworkable except on a limited scale. With Obamacare around, if one of these alternative plans collapse, clients can easily jump back on the gummit plan. I'd guess that someone makes big money on these sharing plans but haven't really looked into it.

Knew I could count on you for profit data, bro. Thanks.

On medishare, I think we're talking past each other. These are voluntary plans, are they not? I'm not well versed in them.

If not voluntary then we're apples and oranges here.

The problem seems to be that a lot of people have bought into a line that says privatization and the extraction of profit for shareholders will somehow drive the cost of goods and services down. This is one of those GOP myths that an article Keith recently linked and then unlinked was built around.

The average income for a medical doctor in the US is just under $180,000.00. When you need treatment for your ills and the doctor comes in and does everything that can be done to make you better... how much is that worth to you?

I do wonder how many people would go into the field of medicine if there was not such a financial reward in salary? I do wonder how we would feel if a hospital didn't have the reserve funds to purchase the best equipment when they are available, so we can best be served? I do wonder if we would take our family members to a second-rate hospital if we knew a cutting-edge hospital was available and better for them?

There will always be good people who cannot afford the cost and be unable to pay the bill. These factors have to be considered in the cost for those who can. This is not a redistribution of the wealth but it is a good business practice.

All good and valid things to wonder about. Thanks, Jon and Sandy for useful input.

Yet we let them do it because they are "private enterprise" and thus surely provide the most return on investment.