By Bob Allen
It’s time to stop debating whether Obamacare is good or bad and start making good stewardship choices for church staffs and congregations, the head of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Church Benefits Board said in a CBF blog Aug. 19.
With open enrollment beginning Oct. 1 and coverage starting Jan. 1, Gary Skeen, president of the CBF ministry created in 1998 to provide retirement benefits for ministers and staff members for CBF churches and personnel worldwide, said it’s time for churches to begin figuring out what the new Affordable Care Act means for them.
“Most press coverage and educational materials deal with large, for-profit companies, leaving the local church to try and figure this out on its own,” Skeen said. “Our role at Church Benefits Board is not to replace local church leadership, human resources, legal or health care consultants, but rather to come alongside and provide guidance for what is becoming a rapidly and dramatically changing health care environment.”
Patterson Coates, assistant manager, said the Church Benefits Board is planning a series of blogs in the coming weeks and months on the health care law. The main theme will be what the change means for the local church.
The CCB also has begun gathering information on a new web page called Health Insurance Marketplace containing information, documentation, videos and links.
“The Marketplace is intended to help individuals and small employers find affordable health coverage and compare plans all in one place based upon level of coverage, quality and price,” Skeen said.