Kentucky Judge to Review Christian Health Care Case

A judge has scheduled a hearing for later this month in a longstanding dispute between the commonwealth and a Christians-only health care plan.  The case pits the state Department of Insurance against Medi-Share, a Florida-based cost-sharing ministry that helps pay medical bills for churchgoers across the country.  Lawyers for the state have asked Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate to hold Medi-Share in contempt of court for continuing to operate in Kentucky. Medi-Share asked for a hearing to explain changes the ministry has made to comply with Kentucky insurance regulations.  The legal battle involves how tightly the state can regulate Medi-Share, which serves nearly 40,000 people in 49 states, including more than 700 in Kentucky.  The hearing is set for August 30.