According to this article: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2014/01/07/moms-obamacare-hits-keep-coming-enroll-kids-in-chip-or-lose-subsidy/?intcmp=related  there are families who are essentially being forced to put their children onto state CHIP coverage. It’s like medicaid just for children. This is a problem for several reasons. Families who do not identify as needing medicaid and wanting to fully pay their own way are are now being told that these state plans are the only option for their kids simply because they qualify. These parents no longer have the freedom of choice. They are being given an ultimatum; either put your kids on CHIP or lose your subsidy for your family coverage. Also, there are many doctors who do not take new patients in the medicaid system, because medicaid and CHIP don’t pay enough. So for a family who identifies as middle class to suddenly be part of the state healthcare system means they may not have full access to medical care like they used to. Sure they may pay less per month, but many families are more concerned about access than quibbling over a few dollars. Pretending they don’t have medicaid can leave them as selfpay patients without the protection of people like Samaritan Ministries. For someone who considers medicaid unnecessary for their own needs, it’s almost insulting to suddenly be a part of it. Many feel shame, frustration and anger at being forced to signup for healthcare welfare.

It’s too bad I don’t see healthcare sharing ministries mentioned much in the comments of these types of articles. HSMs would help this family, and thousands more like them. Samaritan doesn’t encourage anyone to signup for a government program, members take care of each other without medicaid, even though some members may qualify for it, they just don’t want to be part of that system. I can’t blame them. I wouldn’t either.