For Immediate Release

Health Plus “JAMS” in Queens
Sponsors Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival

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

Queens, NY - August 6, 2006 — Street fairs in New York City are often associated with the sweltering heat of the summer season.  In Queens, this past Saturday, while the temperature continued to rise, and the scent of fried oreos and sweet potato fries laced the streets of Jamaica Avenue, nearby residents welcomed the arrival of the annual Jamaica Arts and Music Summer festival, sponsored by managed care organization Health Plus.

As part of its ongoing mission to enrich the lives of the communities it serves, Health Plus was once again a lively presence at the event, bringing balloon art, prizes, and games – including a popular dunking booth -- for patrons of all ages to enjoy.

The festival, stretching for ten city blocks on Jamaica Avenue, kicks off at the intersection of Parsons Boulevard and runs to 169th Street.  Organized ten years ago, Jamaica “JAMS,” as it’s known locally, is a continuing effort by community organizations, including Health Plus, to promote tourism within the southeast Queens region, as well as to raise awareness of the rich culture that exists in the area’s arts, music, and education industries. Featuring live musical performances and appetizing treats, it’s no wonder the Jamaica Arts and Music Summer festival continues to be a well received summer tradition by residents and visitors alike.

“We’ve been in Queens for close to 10 years now, and we’ve built great relations here since then, including with the organizers of this great street festival -- one of our favorite ways to celebrate Queens, “ says Regional Marketing Manager of Health Plus for the borough, Joseph Bouquet. “We’re proud to be here today to support the variety of cultures that flourish here, to sample the foods and listen to the sounds of this vibrant community.”




Despite the heat, Marketing Representatives of Health Plus, Susan Nunez, Alexander Arboleda, Yolian Cerquera, Alexandra Vargas, and Aneudy Caba, were at hand to greet guests at the 10th annual Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival .

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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.