Amish will be exempt from heath care mandate

Fox News reports that the Amish will be exempt from the Democrat health care mandate:

While most Americans will have to prove they have insurance or face a fine under the health reform legislation that is now nearing the finish line in Congress, at least one group won't have to worry.



Most Americans would have to prove they have insurance or face a fine under the health reform legislation that is now nearing the finish line in Congress, but at least one group won't have to worry, on religious grounds.



Democrats are planning to exempt the Amish and similar religious groups from the health insurance mandate in the final health care bill.


That's because when the Amish need medical care, they go to regular doctors and hospitals and pay in cash often with financial help from their church and neighbors. They rely on each other, not the government or insurance companies as a tenet of their faith.


"The Amish believe it's the fundamental responsibility of the church to care for the material needs of the members of the church," said Steven Nolt, a professor at Goshen College who has written books on the Plain community of Amish.


"And so they don't buy commercial health insurance and they don't participate in public assistance programs."

So while most Americans would be required to sign up with insurance companies or government insurance plans, the church would serve as something of an informal insurance plan for the Amish.


Law experts say that kind of exemption withstands scrutiny.

Paying cash for services.  Helping neighbors voluntarily.  We could all learn from the Amish.

Good for them.