Health Plus - Building the Future

For Immediate Release

Building the Future
Health Plus Sponsors Black and Puerto Rican Caucus’s 35th Annual Legislative Conference

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Albany, NY - February 20, 2006 — The New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators held its 35th Annual Conference last weekend, from Friday to Sunday, at venues including the Crown Plaza in the state’s capital. The event, sponsored in part by managed care organization Health Plus, was attended by many top lawmakers, among them New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and his rival for the Democratic nomination for governor of New York State, Nassau County executive Thomas Suozzi.

This year’s theme was “Building the Future: Embrace Economic Development to Empower Our People.” In keeping with this theme, the conference hosted an expo and numerous educational workshops, as well as inspirational speakers (including keynote speaker Kweisi Mfume, candidate for the U.S. Senate and former president of the NAACP), and, as headlining entertainment, the popular singing groups, War and Cameo. Health Plus, as it has for many years now, was proud to sponsor the event, which supports New York State’s African-American and Latino communities.

Among the festivities at the Caucus was a private football signing by Jets star Erik Coleman, who was a special guest of Health Plus. In addition to signing the footballs, Mr. Coleman was also available for free photographs with attendees at the expo to the delight of the crowd.

“Health Plus is honored, each year, to participate in this event, and proud that we can aid the Association in their efforts on behalf of their constituencies,” says Ada Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer for Health Plus, who was herself honored at the Caucus with a prestigious Corporate Award. “We’re always eager to support elected leaders in initiatives that strengthen the communities we serve.”

Forty-nine students were singled out for scholarships at the conference this year, as part of the Association’s on-going efforts to improve the representation of people of color in higher education. Over the years, the Black and Puerto Rican College Fund has enabled thousands of disadvantaged New York State students to attend and graduate college.

Ada Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer of Health Plus, is congratulated by legislators Martin Malave Dilan (left) and Kevin Parker, as she accepts the prestigious Corporate Award at the Black & Puerto Rican Caucus in Albany.

Director of Network Development & Provider Relations for Health Plus, Cleo Dixon (left) stands alongside New York Jets star Erik Coleman at the 35th Annual Black & Puerto Rican Legislative Conference in Albany.

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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.