It’s always been legal to opt-out of Obamacare

This whole shutdown was about people who felt forced into Obamacare. And yet, there has always been an exemption for anyone who wants it.

“It isn’t insurance, it’s a nationwide network of Christians who save money by sharing each other’s medical bills.”

That’s from an ad for a Health Care Cost-Sharing Ministry.

Jason Morris, pays about $370 a month to Samaritan Ministries – but instead of sending it to an insurance company – they send the money directly to other members on a list of approved medical needs.

“When I send my check I usually put a little sticky note on there that says I’m praying for you this month and you recognize that every dollar I send is going to go help that person who is experiencing that crisis right now.

And these groups, be they Christian, Muslim, or whatever, have always been exempt from Obamacare.

The challenge is that Obamacare premiums – thanks to government subsidies – are about 1/3rd of Samaritan Ministries charges.

But James Lansbury of Samaritan Ministries told Reason-TV he doesn’t think Christians will jump ship just to save money.

“This is part of who we are, it’s part of our DNA as the Christian church. I wanted to be part of something where the body of Christ was actually banding together doing what the Bible commanded in a more personal and real way.”

But the point is, for anyone with a religious objection, or who doesn’t believe in government subsidies, or who wants no part of contraception coverage, or who just wants out – there’s a way to break free from Obamacare, and it’s been there from the beginning.