To Establish a Commission to Study the Possibility of Utilizing a Health Sharing Community Group

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) only offers health insurance for church staff and professional church workers employed by Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations, schools, districts and other approved Synod entities; and

WHEREAS, The cost of providing CPS health care coverage often proves cost prohibitive to many smaller congregations/schools and/or restricts the viability and growth of their respective ministries; and

WHEREAS, The Affordable Care Act requires the purchase of health insurance that complies with government regulations but also allows for health care cost sharing programs to provide such health care coverage, often at a more reasonable cost; and

WHEREAS, Some health insurance providers pay for medical procedures that violate Biblical teachings and values, such as abortions or gender reassignment surgeries; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District request the2023 convention to appoint a commission to study establishing a health care cost sharing program open to all members of Synod, as well as all individual members of LCMS congregations, with the objective of reducing health care costs.