Why SMI? Don LaTorre felt Samaritan 'provided the most value'

Don LaTorre used to work in human relations at a sugar company, so he had an idea of how health insurance works.

“I always felt like it was a big, black box,” the Texas man said.

After leaving his job to start Layman’s Fitness, he and his wife, Kelli, wanted something different for their growing family.

That ended up being Samaritan Ministries.

“I knew about some options out there, so I started doing some research of other ministries,” he said. “I just felt like you guys provided the most value. You’re the most straightforward. You’re the most, I think, sincere. I really liked that you had to have a pastor sign off on your application.

“I was like, ‘OK, they want like-minded people who are connected to the local Body of Christ.’”

It helped that they also knew several people who either worked at Samaritan or were members.

“We just felt good about it,” he said.