Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee holds first meeting.

The Brethren Medical Plan Study Committee met for an organizational meeting in Elgin, Ill., on Sept. 11-12. The committee was elected at the 2005 Annual Conference to review the Brethren Medical Plan and respond with recommendations regarding the denomination's participation in the plan. The Brethren Medical Plan is a ministry of Brethren Benefit Trust and offers health insurance for eligible church workers and their families, which includes pastors and lay employees of congregations, district employees, and employees of other Brethren agencies.

The study committee comprises James Gibble of Atlantic Northeast District, Willie Hisey Pierson of Illinois and Wisconsin District, Brian Markle of Southern Pennsylvania District, and Donna Shumate of Southeastern District. The committee called Shumate as chair and Pierson as recorder.

The Annual Conference resolution charged the committee with the task of evaluating the Brethren Medical Plan and assessing the continuing need for and feasibility of such a denominational medical insurance plan. A full copy of the resolution is available at www.brethren.org/ac/medicalplan. The committee has been asked to bring recommendations to the 2006 Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

The committee began its work by meeting with Wil Nolen, Jeff Garber, and Donna March of Brethren Benefit Trust to gather facts relating to all aspects of the current plan. The committee plans to meet with representatives of other agencies and districts in the near future. The committee also welcomes comments from individuals and congregations at annualconference@brethren.org.

The committee asked everyone in the denomination to keep the group in prayer as it continues its work on this important task, reported Conference executive director Lerry Fogle.

Additional information about the committee's work will be available at www.brethren.org/ac/medicalplan.

Source: 10/12/2005 Newsline
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