For Immediate Release
May 1, 2025

Contact: Court Beyer, cbeyer@americanhumanist.org

WASHINGTON – Today, the Center for Freethought Equality commends Congressman Huffman on the reintroduction of the Health Share Transparency Act in the 119th Congress. The Health Share Transparency Act would bring much-needed clarity to consumers and the federal government about health care sharing ministries operating in the United States.

Health care sharing plans are religious nonprofits that masquerade as health insurance, but are not subject to the same regulatory requirements that health insurance plans must adhere to, leaving consumers unprepared when faced with medical claims denied on religious or moral grounds, or simply because the plan administrators do not want to pay. This multi-billion dollar industry uses deceptive marketing practices and ultimately leaves those most in need with millions of dollars of debt.

The Health Share Transparency Act would provide insight into the operations of health sharing plans by requiring them to make disclosures to current and prospective enrollees as well as government agencies. These disclosures would shine light on the operational, financial, and demographic information of the plans, which regulators, the public, and even current enrollees of these plans are largely kept in the dark about. Read the bill here.

“Everyone deserves health care coverage that is comprehensive and transparent about its policies, and unfortunately health care sharing ministries can’t offer either,” said Fish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association. “Too often, health care sharing ministries’ deceptive practices leave American families in unanticipated medical debt with nowhere to turn for relief–all in the name of religion. This issue demands federal attention. We are proud to throw our full support behind the Health Share Transparency Act, and we applaud Congressman Huffman for his leadership in shepherding forward this critical legislation.”

In a press release, Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02), co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, stated, “Health Care Sharing Ministries prey on people in search of medical coverage, leading them to purchase inadequate medical coverage when they may need it most,” said Rep. Huffman. “Through deceptive marketing tactics and overt appeals to religion, certain providers lure consumers into purchasing plans that can leave patients without the care they need or lead them into deep medical debt. We need to combat these unethical tactics with serious federal action. My legislation would help protect consumers from Health Share plans’ predatory practices and ensure consumers have access to clear, accurate information about their health care options when making important decisions about coverage for themselves and their loved ones. As more and more Americans fall victim to misleading and unregulated Health Care Sharing Ministries, it’s more important than ever that we respond with proper reform.”

This year, the American Humanist Association’s policy arm, the Center for Freethought Equality, has worked with state lawmakers to help introduce bills that aim to protect consumers from the deceptive practices of health care sharing plans. The Center for Freethought Equality has thus far supported bills introduced in New York, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont.

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The Center for Freethought Equality (CFE) is the political and advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association. CFE is dedicated to advancing the policy interests of humanists and atheists, and politically empowering our community in the United States. Alongside its advocacy and organizing efforts, CFE has an affiliated political action committee, the Center for Freethought Equality PAC, whose mission is to achieve equality for our community by increasing the number of open humanists and atheists, and allies, in public office at all levels of government.

The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.