Health Plus - Spreading The Holiday Spirit

For Immediate Release

Spreading The Holiday Spirit
Health Plus and LMC Distribute Toys to Kids

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

Brooklyn, New York - December 15, 2005 — Once again, managed care organization Health Plus, working with longtime partner Lutheran Medical Center, helped brighten the holidays for many children by giving them the chance to take a picture with Santa and receive a free toy. Gathering in the festively decorated lobby of Lutheran Medical Center, children from all over Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood waited in line with their parents for a chance to sit on old St Nick’s lap and whisper what they want for Christmas. Courtesy of Heath Plus, hundreds of children received a free gift. This event was just one of many holiday gift giveaways that Health Plus is sponsoring across the five boroughs and in Nassau County.

“This is such a happy time of the year for most of us,” said Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus. “Hosting these events just adds to the charm of the season. We understand that some children are not as fortunate as others, but if we can make a difference for them, then we will continue to spread holiday cheer each and every Christmas.”

Josette Pagan, Larry K. McReynolds, Wendy Z. Goldstein, Mary Quinones, Yvette Rosado, and Karren B. Lennon stand with Santa Claus and local children at the Health Plus holiday event at Lutheran Medical Center this week.

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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.