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Many clergy vulnerable to health insurance loss: Pastors of small churches especially hard hit

While a sour economy and rising costs make it harder for small businesses to afford health coverage, one group of employees is especially vulnerable: clergy.

Many denominations provide health care for clergy, but pastors of small and independent churches can be hard-hit by rising health-care costs. Some clergy latch onto their spouses’ health care, or take a second job that offers insurance. But as the job market tightens, even those secondary solutions are hard to come by.

For the clergy, health-care reform has become personal.