Non-insurance Options involving Faith-based Organizations

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin participated in a TV interview this week that focused on non-insurance options involving faith-based organizations.
Because religious organizations such as Samaritan Ministries International are not State-regulated insurance companies, there is no legal guarantee that dues-paying organization members will receive payment for health-related claims, medical bills, and the like.

"It's a matter of faith, and I fully respect why a person or family may choose that option" said Insurance Commissioner Goodwin. "However, it's important for folks to know what they're paying for, and that it is not insurance. While for some persons this type of 'coverage' may be an option, most persons want the peace of mind knowing that their Department of Insurance has verified that a company is solvent to pay claims, that the entity is legitimate and licensed and not scamming or embezzling monies, and that the Department has authority to enforce the full complement of consumer protections within the law that are not available with faith-based, non-insurance coverage. If we receive a complaint about a particular practice or error by an entity selling non-insurance coverage of the kind discussed here, then by law there is nothing we can do to help a victim."

Goodwin said that, to his knowledge, he is not aware of any formal complaints received from current or former members of Samaritan Ministries.

To learn more about your options and the consumer protections that regulated insurance provides, and to know the difference between regulated insurance and non-insurance, please call the toll-free Consumer Helpline at the North Carolina Department of Insurance: 800-546-5664.

Eighth District Hosts Next Board Meeting of "Devout Democrats"

“DEVOUT DEMOCRATS” ALSO ADDS HIGH-PROFILE BOARD MEMBERS: Including Richmond County’s Wayne Goodwin, former legislator

As it prepares for its next Board of Directors meeting in the heart of the Eighth Congressional District, three new board members have been added to the growing list of North Carolina Democratic Party leaders speaking out politically from a progressive theological perspective. One of the new members joining the “Devout Democrats” organization hails from Richmond County.

Wayne Goodwin, who served eight years in the North Carolina House of Representatives and is currently the state's Assistant Commissioner of Insurance, is one of the new Board members. The long-time chairman of the state Democratic Party's Platform Committee and past President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina, he is Vice President of the North Carolina Center for Voter Education and Chairman of the Eighth Congressional District Democratic Executive Committee. Goodwin is also an active lay speaker in the State for the United Methodist Church and a member of the Board of Directors for the Methodist Home for Children. Goodwin, a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, has regularly taught Sunday School for many years.

"My faith shapes my political philosophy," said Goodwin. "It should bother all persons of faith when some Republican campaigns wrongly assert that their candidates have a ‘monopoly’ on God. Frankly, I believe that we Democrats must do a better job of correcting those erroneous assertions by clearly showing how many core Democratic Party initiatives also reflect religious tenets. Family, faith and values are a vital part of the Democratic Party that I believe in – just as some Republicans view these principles as vital to their own party."

"Notwithstanding, it must be understood that no political party created by Mankind can rightly say it has any sort of monopoly on faith or values," Goodwin added. "We must rely upon our faith and our values – to the best of our abilities - to produce the leaders and the policies that move our Nation forward. For that reason, I am pleased to have joined the leadership team of Devout Democrats, and am eager to continue my mission of giving Democrats of faith a stronger voice.”


Goodwin added, “In fact, all persons of faith – regardless of political party – agree that Jesus taught us to love one another and to help the poor, the needy, and the defenseless. Jesus also taught us to be responsible, and to be productive, hard workers in all that we do. I consider these core American values as well.”

Devout Democrats, an interfaith, grassroots political action committee, is dedicated to showing how the Democratic Party reflects the values of mainstream progressive American religious faith. In addition to its well-known advertisements featuring former UNC-Chapel Hill Coach and Hall of Famer Dean Smith and other religious North Carolinians, in March 2008 the group will hold a conference on religion and politics. Speakers will include Rep. David Price, one of North Carolina’s Democratic Congressmen who also has a divinity degree.

The next Board meeting will be in Hamlet on January 26, 2008.

The Eighth Congressional District Democratic Executive Committee welcomes the organization to the area, and encourages interested persons to take this opportunity learn about the mission of Devout Democrats.

For more information about this organization or to request a Devout Democrats speaker for your community, go to www.devoutdemocrats.org. Or, you may contact Rollin Russell, Co-President, via email (rollinrussell@nc.rr.com) or by phone (919-644-0869).