Health Plus - Long Live the Bronx!

For Immediate Release

Long Live the Bronx!
Health Plus Sponsors Third Annual Viva Bronx Festival

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Bronx, New York - October 2, 2007 — This past Sunday, as the cool, early autumn breeze swept across the Bronx, thousands of local residents took over the blocks along the Grand Concourse outside of Hostos Community College to celebrate the culture and vibrancy of the South Bronx -- a community that has served as a gateway to America for generations of Immigrants -- at the third Annual Viva Bronx Festival. Once again, this festival was sponsored by managed care organization Health Plus.

For the thousands of Bronx residents who came out for the celebration, this event is part of continuing improvements to the Bronx, specifically the South Bronx, which has seen an unprecedented rebirth in the past years. For the children too young to remember the conditions that plagued the neighborhood in past decades, it was a day to celebrate pride in their community, marking the occasion with games and attractions such as face-painting clowns, carnival fare, a mini parade, and, of course, a concert stage featuring Reggaeton, Bachata, and more.

“What a spectacular event,” said Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus. “These past few years that we’ve been spending more time in the South Bronx community, we’ve been welcomed here with open arms and big smiles. There is so much to love about this region, and it’s our pleasure to come out for festivals like this one. We look forward to being here again next year.”

(from left) Dolores Fernandez, President of Hostos Community College; Congressman Jose Serrano of the 16th District of New York, Haile Rivera, Community Program Specialist of The Food Bank for New York City; and David Medina, Regional Marketing Manager.

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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.