What religious groups are exempt from buying health insurance in the health care bill?

A foundation of the health care overhaul bill is that, starting in 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or pay a fine. As noted previously , religious groups are among a few exceptions to this rule.

But most religious people do not fall under the exemption category.

The ones who do must be members of an "exempt religious sect or division." Those belonging to Old Order Amish and Mennonite communities qualify since their religious beliefs reject assistance from the government and other outsiders.

When members of these insular communities need medical attention, neighbors and friends take up church collections to pay the doctors' fees.

Organized groups called "health care sharing ministries" are also exempt from purchasing health insurance.

These groups are defined, by the language of the bill, as nonprofit organizations whose "members share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and medical expenses among members in accordance with those beliefs."

Like the Amish, members of these ministries believe that the teachings of Christ dictate a philosophy of giving and sharing rather than taking, in this case from the third-party insurance providers. Individuals can opt into a cost-sharing program where regular contributions are distributed to other members in the network to pay for various healthcare services.

Medi-Share , Christian Healthcare Ministries , and Samaritan Ministries International   are three such networks. The only requirement for joining, aside from paying your share, is that you practice a lifestyle in strict adherence to Christian philosophy.

-- Emma Dumain, Congress.org