{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate ruled Tuesday that Florida-based Medi-Share must cease operations in Kentucky unless it can get approval from the state Department of Insurance. Medi-Share is a cost-sharing ministry that helps pay medical bills for churchgoers who pledge to live Christian lives that include no smoking, drinking, using drugs or engaging in sex outside of marriage. Medi-Share has continued to operate in Kentucky a year after the state Supreme Court ruled that it is subject to the same regulations as secular health care plans. Medi-Share contends that its participants aren't buying insurance but are involved in a charitable endeavor to help cover medical bills of fellow Christians and potentially have their own expenses covered should the need arise.
