Health Plus - Celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day

For Immediate Release

Celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day
Health Plus Sponsors 18th Annual Brooklyn Mela

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Customer Inquiries: Marketing Department (888) 809-8009

Brooklyn, New York - August 21, 2007 — This past Sunday, traffic was blocked off, between Foster Ave and 18th Ave, along the usually bustling Coney Island Ave, as thousands lined the streets to celebrate sixty years of Pakistani Independence during the 18th Brooklyn Mela, held each year in the area known by local residents as Little Pakistan. Once again, managed care organization Health Plus was there as a proud sponsor.

For those Pakistani-Americans who have made New York their home -- many of which live in Brooklyn --the Brooklyn Mela is a cherished event that brings a touch of home to the heart of the city, and gives Pakistani children an opportunity to celebrate their heritage and share their culture and customs with neighbors and friends. Health Plus staff was also there to ensure that children – young and old – had a great time. Those in attendance were given the chance to play games and win prizes, get their faces painted, and enjoy Pakistani foods as well as carnival fare, while listening to performances by Pakistani musicians playing both modern and traditional music.

“This festival has quickly become one of the most popular street fairs in Brooklyn,” said Ada Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer of Health Plus. “We’ve been sponsoring the Brooklyn Mela for over ten years, and each year the crowds get larger and the stage more exciting. I can’t wait to see what it will be like next year!”

Crowds of people arrived early on Coney Island Avenue, between 18th Avenue and Foster Avenue, this past Sunday, for the 18th Annual Brooklyn Mela, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence.

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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.