Dear Rostered Ministers and Congregational Leaders,

As Portico Benefit Services communicated, organizations will see a baseline 15% increase for ELCA-Primary health benefits. This is a painful increase, and we recognize that it will be a significant burden for many of our congregations. We understand this may also lead to difficult decisions in your financial and ministry planning for 2027. While health insurance rates are increasing across the market by an average of 12%, it does not make this reality any easier to bear.

These are difficult financial times. From the gas pump to the grocery store, we are surrounded by relentless economic pressure

As a church, we profess that “health is central to our well-being, vital to relationships, and helps us live out our vocations in family, work, and community” (ELCA Social Statement, ‘Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor’). It is in this spirit that we invite you to have honest and faithful conversations with one another as leaders in Christ's church. As open enrollment approaches, we encourage you to have conversations that uplift the well-being of our Rostered Ministers and staff, as well as the health of our congregations and ministries. We also encourage congregations to utilize Portico’s online calculators to run various plan options and scenarios. As bishops and synod staff, we are ready to accompany you in these conversations as it is helpful.

Last week, we gathered as the ELCA Conference of Bishops and conveyed directly to the CEO of Portico the concerns we are hearing from congregations, rostered ministers, and synods. We advocated for greater transparency and more opportunity for meaningful conversation with the Conference of Bishops in these complex matters that have such a significant impact across the church.

Please know that we take seriously our call to walk alongside you in ministry, not only by listening to the burdens you are carrying, but also by bringing those concerns into the places where they need to be heard.

Thank you for your partnership in ministry, for your faithfulness in sharing the Good News, and for your commitment to caring for one another.

In Christ,

ELCA Region 3 Bishops

Rev. Lisa Lewton, Western North Dakota Synod

Rev. Tessa Moon Leiseth, Eastern North Dakota Synod

Rev. Constanze Hagmaier, South Dakota Synod

Rev. Bill Tesch, Northwestern Minnesota Synod

Rev. Taryn Montgomery, Northeastern Minnesota Synod

Rev. Dee Pederson, Southwestern Minnesota Synod

Rev. Jen Nagel, Minneapolis Area Synod

Rev. Justin Grimm, Saint Paul Area Synod

Rev. Regina Hassanally, Southeastern Minnesota Synod