Bude Community Foundation sets health, communications programs

The Bude Community Foundation has announced plans for a health and communications event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3.

The free program will be held at BCF’s Community Center — the former Bude United Methodist Church — at the corner of Main and Third streets and Mississippi Highway 184 in Bude.

Event coordinator Veronica Brown said the planned outreach will include personalized assistance with and answers related to the current open enrollment period through the Affordable Care Act.

“Ambetter agents will assist those looking to take part in the ACA initiative for the first time or to renew their coverage,” Brown added. “The goal of the program is to try to make healthcare available, affordable and accessible to more people.”

The open enrollment period for ACA’s health insurance marketplace coverage runs from Nov. 1, 2022, through Jan. 15, 2023.

In addition, Franklin County Memorial Hospital and its Family Medical Group will hold an on-site influenza vaccination clinic during the program.

“We’re encouraging people — from 6 months of age and older — to consider getting the flu shot well before infections hit their peak in our area,” Brown continued. “This will be a great opportunity to get this done and we want people from throughout the county to participate.”
Another part of the event will seek to help area low-income residents via the federal Lifeline Assistance program, which makes affordable communication services available to qualifying households.

“SafeLine Wireless will have representatives here to talk with individuals about qualifying for the program,” Brown went on to say.

“We encourage anyone receiving benefits such as food stamps, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or anyone deemed as low-income to come see if they would be eligible for this initiative.”

Those wanting more information about the BCF’s health and communications event can contact Brown by calling 601-810-9674.