Health Plus banners festooned the downtown Brooklyn hotel for what was a night of food, music, and dancing, as politicians and businessmen and women networked the event that celebrated 20 years of devoted service. 

“When I think of all the New Yorkers in need to whom we’ve provided free and affordable healthcare, it overwhelms me,” says Health Plus’s Executive Director Tom Early.  “A quarter-of-a-million people have entrusted us with their needs and now receive the care they deserve.  Families, children, elderly, come to us, and we keep them healthy, happy, and strong.”

Community leaders, local medical providers, and dignitaries all celebrated with the company that has grown from being a small off-shoot of Lutheran Medical Center -- originally formed to provide healthcare to Medicaid recipients in Southwest Brooklyn -- to becoming one of the largest and fastest growing HMOs in New York City

Testimonials were part of the evening’s program. One little girl, Kiara, who is a member of the plan, spoke at the podium in front of the crowded room; testifying to how much of a positive impact Health Plus has had on her life.  Other speakers included Wendy Goldstein, the CEO of Lutheran Medical Center, and Borough President Marty Markowitz.

“This is a big milestone for us on several levels,” says Ada Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer for Health Plus.  “In addition to commemorating our twentieth year in operation, we’ve also recently enrolled our 250,000 member in our plan.  Insuring more than a quarter-million New Yorkers is an incredible milestone for us – for any healthcare company -- it just calls for a special celebration.”

 “Health Plus has achieved tremendous success as a company, and that’s great, but what’s really gratifying is knowing the positive impact we’ve had on so many New Yorkers’ lives,” says Early. “We’re all here together tonight to celebrate twenty years of caring for New Yorkers’ most precious possession – their health. And we look forward to another twenty years of serving our community.”