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For Immediate Release

Beating the Cold
Health Plus Works to Keep New York Warm

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

New York, New York - February 6, 2008 — After several years of relatively mild winters, the cold breath of winter 2008 was unleashed upon New York -- the time of year when even the boldest of New Yorkers seek the shelter and comfort of their homes, and dare not venture out without properly bundling up. 
 Unfortunately, this is not possible for everyone. Each night, almost 40,000 New Yorkers depend on city shelters for a place to stay, yet many more are outside with little or nothing substantial to keep them warm. This is why each year, managed care organization Health Plus works hard to make sure needy New Yorkers receive a little winter warmth.
 As Presenting Sponsor of the New York Cares Coat Drive, which collects more than 80,000 coats each year for donation across the city -- and partnering with many hospitals, medical groups, and, politicians, as well as religious and community organizations to conduct its own coat collections and distributions --Health Plus is able to make a difference in the lives of many thousands of New Yorkers. 
 Throughout the last weeks of January and early last month, the company orchestrated numerous coat distributions at hospitals, shelters, community centers, elected officials' headquarters, and at Health Plus offices throughout the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau County.  Bringing these outreach events directly to the community created easy access for hardworking, but underpaid residents of New York City to receive a free, gently-worn coat. 
“This is one of our favorite annual events,” says Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus, “as well as one of our most imperative. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be in a position to help so many make it through another tough winter.  A warm coat may not seem so important to people who have one, but for many families who don’t, it can make a make a world of difference. To see the relief on the face of a parent who has just found a great coat for their child -- as a father of five myself, I can tell you, it means a lot.”


Carina Vizhnay (far left), Kenesha Nelson (fourth from left), Jose Peralta (third from right), and Hiram Monserrate (second from right), stand with members of the community who received coats and gloves at the Health Plus Coat Drive.

A Young girl’s smile said it all, as she tried on the coat and matching gloves she received at the Health Plus Coat Drive, held at the Morris Heights Health Center.

Health Plus Regional Director of Asian Markets Tommy Cen stands alongside a local woman, who received a coat and gloves at the Health Plus Coat Drive.

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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.