Some of the larger health care sharing ministries are: Christian Healthcare Ministries (established around 1981),[REF] Medi-Share, a program of Christian Care Ministry (1993),[REF] Samaritan Ministries (1994),[REF] Liberty HealthShare (1998),[REF] MCS Medical Cost Sharing[REF] and Altrua HealthShare [REF].
Most ministries are oriented toward practicing Christians, with restrictions like abstaining from extramarital sex, excessive drinking, and use of tobacco or illegal drugs.