Health Plus - An Evening of Dominican Rhythms and Baseball

For Immediate Release

An Evening of Dominican Rhythms and Baseball
Health Plus Sponsors Merengue Night at Shea

Media Inquiries:Kathryn Soman (718) 491-7493
Customer Inquiries: Marketing Department (888) 809-8009

QUEENS, NY - July 31, 2007 — The nearly 50,000 baseball fans that came out last Friday night to see the New York Mets take on the Washington Nationals were treated to an extra special night of music and festivities, thanks to the 10th Annual Merengue Night, sponsored once again by managed care organization Health Plus.
Fans were given bandanas and “thunder sticks” – courtesy of Health Plus – which tinged the stands of Shea Stadium with the red, white, and blue colors of the Dominican flag. Shouts of “Viva la Republica Dominicana” -- where merengue was born and later established, under the reign of President Rafael Trujillo in the 1930s, as the official dance of the Dominican Republic -- rang out throughout the night.
Merengue Night is one of a series of heritage nights organized by the New York Mets to celebrate the cultural diversity present in the New York area and the borough of Queens, in particular. Always one of the most popular heritage nights, this year’s Merengue festivities welcomed well-known artists Tono Rosario and Las Chicas Del Can, among others.
“Partnering with the New York Mets for Merengue Night is a pleasure that we look forward to each year,” says Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus and lifelong Mets fan. “Not only is it a great event to attend, but it also allows us to reach out and meet people from the many communities we serve. Tonight we’re proud to be here to support the traditions and culture of the Dominican community.”

Ricardo Ramon from the Dominican Sports Foundation; Hector Del Toro, a local businessman; Osvaldo Virgil, the first Dominican to play Major League Baseball; Ada Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer of Health Plus; and Felipe Payano.

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Health Plus, a not-for-profit, multi-cultural organization, is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations in New York City. It was established in 1984 with a commitment to provide coordinated quality health care and improving access to health care for uninsured and underserved families. In its annual review of managed care plans, the New York State Department of Health ranked Health Plus as the top plan for quality in its 2002 and 2003 "Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Managed Care in New York City." Health Plus is New York City's leading provider of Child Health Plus, a New York State Department of Health program that offers parents FREE or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19. "CRAIN'S New York Business" magazine ranked Health Plus fifth among the largest health maintenance organizations in the New York area.