New Pro-Life Health Care Option Launched in Texas

Two individuals from Texas are introducing a health care initiative rooted in Catholic living ethics, aiming to provide Christians with an ethical alternative.

Many health insurance providers often include services that conflict with Catholic Church teachings and pro-life principles, such as abortion, contraception, and assisted suicide.

Daniel Cruz and Bob Hogan founded Fortress Plan in collaboration with Presidio Healthcare due to a desire for a pro-life, Christian choice.

Launched in November, the Fortress Plan explicitly does not include any medical services that contradict Catholic teachings. Initially, the co-founders are focusing on Texas but have plans to expand further across the United States.

Hogan, who is also a co-founder of Presidio and a graduate of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, mentioned that healthcare ministries often lack regulation and aren’t legally required to cover family medical expenses, which can lead to financial strain on families.

To address this, Hogan and Cruz aimed to create what they describe as a legitimate insurance company that would provide better support for families.

Cruz discussed the Catholic values that underpin the Fortress initiative.

What Makes Fortress Plan Stand Out?

Cruz asserted that Fortress Plan is unique as it’s the only health insurance option that embraces a culture of life. Unlike other plans, it expressly excludes abortion, contraception, gender transition treatments or surgeries, euthanasia, in vitro fertilization, and related services.

Connection to Catholic Ethical Directives

The Fortress Plan is associated with Presidio Healthcare Insurance Company, which claims to be the first health insurer in the U.S. recognized as a Catholic organization. The plan is meant to honor the dignity of every individual, aligning with the ethical and religious directives of Catholic Health Services.

The Ethical and Religious Directives (ERD) reflect Catholic moral theology and are supported by federal Freedom of Conscience and Religious Law, offering a foundation for a truly Catholic healthcare plan. The mission emphasizes promoting life-affirming medical practices, guided by the ERD.

Inspiration Behind Fortress Plan

A pivotal moment for Cruz was when a former client requested an estimate for an abortion through her insurance, which sparked his motivation to redirect his career as an actuary toward creating a viable pro-life insurance provider.

Realizing that no existing insurer was fully pro-life and that shared ministries failed to genuinely safeguard families financially, Cruz resolved to establish the first pro-life Christian insurance organization.

Future Goals for Fortress Plan

Looking ahead, the aim is to grow nationally and integrate into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the employer market, ultimately creating a recognizable brand that embodies Christian healthcare values.