Source: The Boston Globe
On August 28, 2006 The Boston Globe reported, "Officials of the Christian Science Church are worried that the state's healthcare law will exclude faith healing as a recognized health benefit for its employees who do not receive traditional medical care because of their religious beliefs. The church, based in Boston, holds that illnesses should be treated with prayer, but a draft version of the healthcare reform regulations specifies that employers must contribute to workers' medical insurance coverage to comply with the landmark law that takes effect next year. Those that do not will be assessed $295 per employee annually. The law also requires Massachusetts residents to enroll in a health insurance plan or face penalties such as the loss of personal tax deductions. It exempts those who do not because of 'sincerely held religious beliefs,' but there is no such provision for employers. Church officials this month told the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy that the non medical insurance coverage it offers employees should qualify as healthcare. It wants the rules to require 'health care' without referring to 'medical services.' 'The Church does not think it is the Commonwealth's intention to dictate the "methods" under which health and well-being are achieved' under healthcare reform, wrote Claire Waterson , a spokeswoman and registered lobbyist for the church, in formal comments submitted to the state. 'The Church provides its employees with a wide range of health care benefit options, and one of these options is a health plan for spiritual healing.'"