Letter to All Bodies of Elders, 1993-12-23: New arrangement for the support of health care for traveling overseers and their wives
December 23,1993
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS
Dear Brothers:
Jehovah cares deeply about each of his faithful servants. Psalm 41:3 states: "Jehovah himself will sustain him upon a divan of illness; all his bed you will certainly change during his sickness." During Jesus' earthly ministry, he showed great compassion for the physically ill. At Luke 5:12, 13, an example is given that shows us that Jesus 'wants to help'. We look forward to the removal of the suffering caused by disease. In the meantime, the Society cares deeply about the welfare and health of all who lovingly give of themselves in special full-time service.
We are pleased to introduce a new arrangement for the support of health care for traveling overseers and their wives. The Society has established a department called Health Care Support Services (HCS). HCS will maintain high-quality, cost-effective health-care support for those in the traveling work.
As of January 1, 1994, the Society will be administering its own Health Care Support Plan (Plan) effective for health-care services received on or after that date. At that time the current Traveling Ministers Health Plan (TMHP) will be discontinued. The new Plan will provide assistance with and financial support for the health-care needs of the traveling overseers and their wives.
The Plan will prove beneficial in many ways. It eliminates the deductible and copayment requirements of TMHP. It covers preventive health-care services. HCS will work closely with Plan members in coordinating the delivery of health-care services, thereby making it possible to negotiate with providers. These benefits will accompany anticipated savings of contributed funds.
The new plan will require changes in procedures. Under TMHP, the traveling overseers submitted to their respective circuits, or to congregations in their respective circuits, any requested health-care bills for deductible and copayment amounts not covered by TMHP. The elimination of deductibles and copayments in the new plan means it will not be necessary for elders to request such bills. This change is effective for services received on or after January 1, 1994. Please note: bills for health-care service deductibles and copayments paid by TMHP after January 1, 1994, may be requested by congregations or circuits.
Health Care Support Services will be working closely with members of the Plan to assist them in the identification of health-care providers who respect Jehovah's law on the use of blood. This assistance will be coordinated with the Society's Hospital Information Services and with local Hospital Liaison Committees. At times, HCS may request the assistance of the congregations. This assistance may involve providing hospitality to those who travel from other areas seeking health-care providers who respect Jehovah's laws on the use of blood.
The $6.50-per-publisher annual donation covers the costs of health care and the automobile leasing arrangement. There is no commercial health-care insurance involvement. The Plan is entirely self-funded. Your continued donations will be much appreciated. The elimination of deductible and copayments should make it easier for the circuits and congregations to donate funds.
Jehovah's people respond quickly when the need for hospitality displays itself. Recently, HCS asked some congregations to extend hospitality to those who traveled to their area to receive high-quality, cost-effective health-care services. The results have been a mutual interchange of encouragement and a significant saving of funds.
We look forward to the day when God's Kingdom will eliminate sickness and death. (Revelation 21:3,4) Until then, we have a fine opportunity to display love and compassion to those who face health problems. Your cooperative support of this arrangement will prove to be advantageous for all involved. Please be assured of our warm brotherly love as we serve Jehovah together.
Your brothers,
Watchtower B. D. J. Society OF NEW YORK, INC.