Northeast News
January 24, 2014

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center (SURHC) and Bethel AME Church will be hosting “Sign Up Saturday” Saturday, Jan. 25, to help interested individuals sign up for health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bethel Community Computer Center, located on the lower level of the church at 2329 Flora Ave., Kansas City, Mo. “Sign Up Saturday” is open to the general public free of charge.

“We’re excited to work in partnership with the Bethel AME Church’s Community Computer Center in helping to educate Kansas City residents about the new health insurance options,” said Jim Torres, a certified application counselor with SURHC. Torres is one of three SURHC staff members who have been active in helping to spread the word about Affordable Care Act in the community.

According to the Rev. Robert Shaw, pastor at Bethel AME Church, this event helps to further the mission of its computer center to “provide a safe and secure world-class PC environment to area residents.” Shaw said he is pleased the church is able to play a role in educating the public about health care.

“If people have coverage, they’re more likely to see a doctor regularly and to be proactive in getting the medical help they need before issues become serious,” Shaw said.

SURHC CEO Hilda Fuentes said the event fits well with the mission and vision of its founder, Dr. Samuel U. Rodgers, MD.

“Dr. Rodgers was always committed to helping ensure that healthy people translate to a healthy community,” Fuentes said. “We have remained steadfast to that commitment for the past 45 years.”