Health Plus - A Getaway to the Dominican Republic

For Immediate Release

A Getaway to the Dominican Republic
Health Plus Sponsors Dominican Day Parade

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

Bronx, NY - July 17, 2006 — Although temperatures climbed close to 100 degrees on Sunday afternoon, the heat was the last thing on the minds of the thousands of spectators gathered to celebrate the rich and vibrant culture that Dominicans have contributed to the Bronx and throughout the city of New York. Large crowds formed in the Bronx for the 17th annual Dominican Day Parade, which stretched along the Grand Concourse from East Tremont Avenue and wrapped up at 161st street.

Once again, managed care organization Health Plus was a proud sponsor of the parade.

The Gran Parada Dominicana, as it is known to locals, may not generate quite as many patrons as the Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan, held annually as well, but it certainly generates the same spirit of pride, excitement, and enthusiasm in a perhaps more intimate setting. The parade – a mix of performers, festive costumes, Merengue music, and floats – featured, amongst the sea of floats, Health Plus. Exhibiting its commitment to bringing joy to parade attendees, the company’s staff members distributed free bandanas, umbrella hats, and “thunder sticks”, all of which helped deck the Grand Concourse in red, blue and white – the colors of the Dominican Republic’s flag. Parade goers were also invited to share the spotlight with Health Plus aboard the company float.

Every year, thousands of people attend the Bronx Dominican Parade to catch a glimpse of this vibrant culture and, for some, to witness a familiar reminder of their heritage.

Community Relations Manager Rolland Garcia, of Health Plus, stands beside performers dressed in traditional Dominican costumes – a distinctive style of Dominican culture – at the Bronx Dominican Day Parade this past Sunday.

Luis Fonseca, Rolland Garcia, and Eric Alvelo, of Health Plus, march along the Grand Concourse, where many thousands of parade goers gathered, as they helped the Bronx celebrate the Dominican Day Parade.

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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.