Friday LinkFest

■ We’ve discussed Health Care Sharing Ministries many times here at IB; one thing they all tend to have in common is that “ministry” part, which at least implies a Christian slant (NTTAWWT). I get the sense that many (most?) aren’t particularly heavy-handed about it, but still, as a Member of the Tribe, it gives me a brief pause.

Now, thanks to FoIB Dutch R, we learn about a “kibbutz of healthcare:”

“After some online research Mazie, who lives in Miami, found something he thought was a godsend: United Refuah HealthShare, a Jewish alternative to traditional insurance. (“Refuah” is Hebrew for healing.) He was thrilled by the bargain-priced plans.”

As with its gentile counterparts, Refuah (which one presumes refers to “r’fuah shleima,” a blessing for healing) satisfies the (currently defunct) mandate, and a way to pool resources to help others pay for health care. And, as with those other ministries, there are additional risks that come with being uninsured.

Still yasher koach (“kudos”).

■ For fans of Medicare4All, a warning about what one wishes for:

“THE number of patients who die while languishing on NHS waiting lists has rocketed, new figures suggest. At least 10,000 extra people every year never receive the treatment they have been waiting for compared with five years ago.”

But hey: Free!

■ And speaking of M4A, despite all the positive press it’s currently garnering, a funny thing happened on the way to the potential implementation:

“A new poll finds that about only one in 10 registered voters want the equivalent of Medicare for all if it means abolishing private health insurance plans.”

If you like your plan…..