To: All Members of the PA House of Representatives

From: Rep. Danilo Burgos

Date: July 21, 2025

Subject: Freedom to Share Healthcare Act

Soon, I plan to introduce legislation regarding the sales and marketing of Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM) health plans to residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A Health Care Sharing Ministry is a not-for-profit organization in which members who share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs share certain of each other’s medical expenses according to those beliefs. Sharing ministries originated with the Amish and Mennonite communities more than 100 years ago. However, over the last 30 years HCSMs have been created for many faith-based communities.

To be clear, Sharing Ministries are not insurance: (1) no written contract, (2) no risk of potential loss to the insured party, (3) there are no premiums paid by the insured to the insurer, and (4) no assumption of risk by the insurer. Though not standard insurance, HCSMs are a valid means of dealing with healthcare expenses, which is why the Affordable Care Act included an exemption from the individual mandate penalty for Sharing Ministry Members.

My legislation will build on that policy by removing current restrictions that limit participation to specific denominations, requiring “Pastor” approval and prohibiting compensation for marketing enrollment and support. This will give consumers greater freedom to choose cost-effective programs that suit their families’ needs.  

 Thank you for your time and consideration of this important request.