Photo by Glenn Riegel Russ Veal of Palmyra, Pa., expresses his appreciation for the work of Brethren Benefit Trust.

Photo by Glenn Riegel Delegates take time to seriously consider the business of the Conference.

Photo by Regina Roberts The Conference business is translated into Spanish.

Brethren Medical Plan medical insurance for ministers is phased out
Annual Conference has approved phasing out the Brethren Medical Plan’s medical insurance component for active ministers. The decision was based on the recommendations of the Brethren Medical Plan created by Annual Conference in 2005.

The decision means that Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT), which has offered the health insurance plan, will be working to assist ministers who have been in the plan to find alternative medical coverage. It was announced that ministers who are in the plan may expect health insurance coverage to be phased out no earlier than Dec. 31, 2007.

The study committee was appointed in 2005 after BBT called for the study, announcing that the Brethren Medical Plan was in a “death spiral” caused by decreased membership, the erosion of a good spread of risk, increased health care costs, and increased premiums. The Brethren Medical Plan has been a program of BBT offering a health insurance plan for pastors and church employees, district employees, employees of Annual Conference agencies and affiliated agencies and institutions, and their families.

After two years of study the committee recommended that BBT phase out the medical insurance component of the Brethren Medical Plan for ministers and retirees, while continuing to explore viability of the plan for agencies, which have 100 percent participation. The committee also recommended BBT continue to offer its longterm disability, life, vision, and dental insurance plans.

The report was approved with two changes, one made by the study committee that BBT is to explore including “members of the ministers’ group who are currently retired or retire in the future and who are age 65 or older” as it explores the continuing viability of the plan for agencies.

The other change came as an amendment to wording in a section calling for BBT to “attempt to find alternative medical coverage for those curent participants who would not otherwise be able to obtain or afford medical insurance.” In place of the word “attempt,” the final document instructs BBT to “mutually assist in finding” the alternative coverage.

Study committee chair Donna Shumate outlined the mandate of the committee, saying that it had been asked to evaluate the Brethren Medical Plan, assess the need for the plan, and assess the plan’s viability. At first the committee was enthusiastic about its job, she said, but as the group began talking with BBT staff and representatives of the plan, they “quickly realized that we would not come up with a perfect solution to the problem.”

In its report, the committee cited a 78 percent drop in participation in the Brethren Medical Plan since 1993, when there were more than 3,119 primary members, to just 684 as of Jan. 2007. “The only way to ensure the Medical Plans’ longterm existence,” the study said, “would be to expand its risk pool and to increase its reserves.”

Many pastors came to the microphones to talk about difficulties they may face in finding health insurance without a denominational plan. Others talked about the church’s commitment to mutuality in caring for each other, and said that commitment has been violated by the recommendation, by congregations and pastors who have left the plan, and by a denomination that is not caring adequately for pastors. Some speakers named excessive expense of the plan as a reason for leaving it, and called for understanding of the situation of small congregations that cannot afford to pay the costs.

A couple of speakers suggested that the document needed “teeth” to enforce participation in the plan. “Church, we can do better than this,” said one speaker. “If we don’t do better than this, shame on us all.”

BBT staff acknowledged that, in one estimate, 30 to 50 or more active pastors who are in the plan are facing pre-existing conditions. This could make it necessary to enter a state pool for people with pre-existing conditions or a HIPAA-certified insurance plan, which could be more costly and provide less benefits.

BBT staff said the agency has developed a “tool” available on the Internet to help pastors identify options for coverage, state by state. BBT invited pastors who are affected by the decision to an insight session this evening to receive further information.

Study committee members were chair Donna Shumate, Willie Hisey Pierson, James C. Gibbel, and Brian Markle.

Photo by Glenn Riegel Moderator Belita Mitchell confers with moderator-elect Jim Beckwith.	Photo by Regina Roberts The report of the Association of Brethren Caregivers highlights ways the agency promotes families and care for all people.
Photo by Regina Roberts Members of the Review and Evaluation Committee smile for the camera.

Photo by Regina Roberts The musicians add to the Conference spirit.

Photo by Regina Roberts Prayer and times of silence are helpful as delegates consider a difficult business agenda.

Photo by Regina Roberts The Doing Church Business study committee presents its report: (from left) Matt Guynn, Dena Lee, Dave Shetler, Joe Detrick.

Photo by Regina Roberts Pastors express concerns and feelings of hurt and anger at a Brethren Benefit Trust insight session after the Conference makes a decision to phase out the health insurance plan for active ministers.

Election results
Annual Conference Moderator-Elect: David K. Shumate of Roanoke, Va.

Annual Conference Secretary: Fred W. Swartz of Bridgewater, Va.

Annual Conference Program and Arrangements Committee: Sarah B. Steele of Martinsburg, Pa.

Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee: Peter C. Kaltenbaugh Jr.

Committee on Interchurch Relations: James O. Eikenberry of Stockton, Calif.

Association of Brethren Caregivers: J. Colleen Michael of Wenatchee, Wash.

Bethany Theological Seminary, representing colleges: Carol A. Scheppard of Mount Crawford, Va. Representing clergy: Lisa L. Hazen of Wichita, Kan.

Brethren Benefit Trust: Deborah E. (Deb) Romary of Fort Wayne, Ind.

General Board, at large: Terrell Lewis of Washington, D.C.

On Earth Peace: Susan Chapman of Fincastle, Pa.

Overview of other business
Monday business sessions continued addressing the Review and Evaluation Study Committee’s report (see the “Business” page for Sunday, July 1). After the delegates adopted the report’s first recommendation in yesterday’s business session, it addressed the next nine recommendations today, adopting them without passing any of the amendments that were offered.

The delegate body also began consideration of the Doing Church Business report, an item of business which is continued from the 2006 Conference after it was referred to a Program Feasibility Committee. Before turning to the Doing Church Business report, the Conference heard from the Program Feasibility Committee, which presented estimated costs associated with the recommendations in the report. The amendment on the floor at the time of referral--to strike a section of the paper recommending expansion of the length of Annual Conference--was rejected. Discussion of the report will continue in business sessions tomorrow, July 3.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers presented a report focused on its ministries for health and wellness, as well as family life, deacons, and advocacy for caring ministries. The Conference affirmed the appointments of board members Marilyn E. Bussey of Roanoke, Va.; Wayne T. Scott of Harrisburg, Pa.; James L. Tiffin of Avon Park, Fla.; and Chris Whitacre of McPherson, Kan.

Brethren Benefit Trust gave its report, highlighting its ministries in the areas of finance and insurance. The appointments of board members Janice Bratton of Hershey, Pa., and Ann Quay Davis of La Verne, Calif., were affirmed. Bratton will serve a four-year term, and Davis a one-year term. BBT also offered the closing item of the day’s agenda, a memorial tribute to church workers and church workers’ spouses who have passed away in the year since the 2006 Conference.

General Board names new chair and executive committee
The Church of the Brethren General Board at its reorganization meeting today name a new chair and executive committee. Tim Harvey was named as chair, and Dale Minnich as vice chair. Members of the executive committee are Michael Benner, Vickie Samland, Kate Spire, and Ken Wenger.

--Business reports are written by Frances Townsend and Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford

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