Health Plus - Health Plus Rewards Young Members for Good Grades

For Immediate Release

Health Plus Rewards Young Members for Good Grades
Another Successful Year for Project A+

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

Brooklyn, New York - July 14, 2008 — It has been seventeen years since Health Plus first started their Project A+ program, rewarding the managed care organization’s young members for their hard work during the school year. Each year the program grows larger, as more and more youngsters are encouraged to aim for high marks. This year was no different, boasting one of the best turn outs ever!

All throughout last week, over 1,500 first-to-eighth-grade students -- who earned an overall average of B+ or higher in their classes this year, and who receive health insurance through Health Plus -- were recognized and awarded by the Project A+ program. All children who met the criteria and presented their report card at one of Health Plus’s several locations throughout the five boroughs, received a “goody bag,” including a TOYS R US gift certificate, and a t-shirt. In addition, each child chose one title from amongst numerous age-appropriate children’s books to carry home.

Since Project A+ began in 1991, Health Plus has rewarded nearly 17,000 students for their good grades. Health Plus believes that proper education is an important part of healthy development. The project‘s objective is to encourage students to recognize the value of school and the long-term benefits of securing good grades.

“I’m happy that we can offer our members – the students and their parents -- an event like this,” said Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus. “Supporting our children who excel in their studies is one of the most important things that we can do for them. Good education goes hand in hand with good health.”

Health Plus Chief Marketing Officer, Ada Rodriguez; and Health Plus Executive Director, Tom Early read along with several Project A+ students, at the Health Plus Operations Office in Sunset Park Brooklyn.

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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.