Health Plus - New York Dominicans Place Ballots In Boxes

For Immediate Release

New York Dominicans Place Ballots In Boxes
History Made When Dominicans Participate In First Long-Distance Election

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New York, NY - May 18, 2004 — Sunday, May 16, 2004 marked the first time in history that Dominicans living in New York got the opportunity to vote for elections in their home country without leaving the Big Apple.

The results - thousands of New York Dominicans helped elect former President Leonel Fernandez over incumbent President Hipolito Mejia.

The New York City portion of the election was held at 16 schools throughout the area. In addition, Health Plus, the Medicaid managed care organization, partnered with the organizer of elections, Junta Central Electoral, at the polling sites to enroll all those in need of free or affordable healthcare into one of their three government-sponsored health plans.

"Health Plus has a strong relationship with New York's Dominican community," says Health Plus's Marketing Manager Angel Rosario. "That's why it's only appropriate for us to be present with our support during this historic event."

Junta Central Electoral stand alongside Health Plus's Angel Rivera (far right), and address interested attendees at a conference after elections at Interboro Institute in Manhattan

A young Dominican casts his ballot at Junior High 52 in Manhattan this past Sunday to determine the president in his home country over a thousand miles away.

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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.