Seminar Series for Small Business Owners Announced

NEW YORK, May 2 -- The New York City Health and Hospitals issued the following news release:

MetroPlus Health Plan announced today a series of seminars for small business owners it will host as part of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, in May. Co-hosting these seminars will be U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng, New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblyman Ron Kim, and New York City Councilman Peter Koo, as well as Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) and the Flushing Chinese-American Business Association (FCBA).

MetroPlus will offer low-cost plans to small business owners, while AAFE will recommend short- and intermediate-term loans to small business owners. This special event will be held at the FCBA office in Flushing every Thursday afternoon in May from 2 pm to 5 pm. (May 4, 11, 18, and 25).

"MetroPlus offers four small business health plans through the NY State of Health, the State's health plan marketplace," said Seth Diamond, chief operating officer of MetroPlus Health Plan. "These plans are available to businesses with 100 or fewer employees. Some businesses with 25 or fewer employees may qualify for a federal tax credit of as much as 50% of employer's contribution. We are pleased to work with AAFE and FCBA to provide these low-cost plans to Asian business owners and their employees."

2- Small Business

With representatives fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fujianese, MetroPlus recently opened a new site at Skyview Mall in Flushing, Queens. The health plan is also preparing to open a new office in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn on May 18, further enhancing the plan's commitment to bring affordable health care to the Asian community where they live and work.

Christopher Kui, the executive director of AAFE, said, "Renaissance Economic Development Corporation is certified as a community development financial institution through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions. A Small Business Administration-approved Micro-lender, Renaissance is pleased to work with MetroPlus to help business owners during Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month."

Peter Tu of FCBA stated, "As Asian Americans, especially as small business owners, we know everything must comply with the requirements of laws and regulations. We are excited and grateful that institutions are willing to come out to help reduce the burden for us, and we cherish this opportunity to help educate our small business owners."

Maggie Wong, marketing director of Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, said, "The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center is a nonprofit and federally qualified health center, established in 1971. We ensure that all members of our community--regardless of ability to pay--are provided with quality, comprehensive, and culturally effective primary health care. As a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home, we partner with members to create a health plan that meets their own unique health and social needs."

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) said, "I commend MetroPlus for launching its 'Let's Help Business Owners' initiative during Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. I am pleased to be an honorary co-host for these events, and I thank the Flushing Chinese Business Association for helping to spread the word."

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky remarked, "Navigating the health care system can be difficult for small business owners who cannot pay the high costs, but want to provide their employees with quality health insurance. The difficulty intensifies for immigrant business owners who may need additional and culturally sensitive support. That is why I am proud to work with MetroPlus alongside my colleagues at the city, state, and federal levels in promoting their Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month special initiative to help Asian business owners."

3- Small Business

New York City Councilman Peter Koo said, "Small businesses create jobs, bring money back to our community, and strengthen the economy. In Flushing, nearly 90% of the businesses in the district have fewer than 10 employees, and most of them are ethnic restaurants, retail stores, and professional offices. Their success is essential to the prosperity of our entire community. I would like to thank MetroPlus, AAFE, and FCBA for organizing this event to uplift and support the small business owners of our community."

The small business owners initiative will be held in the office of FCBA, 4048 Main Street, Room 302, Flushing, NY, on May 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 2 to 5 pm.

About AAFE

Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Asian Americans and all of those in need. Founded in 1974 to advocate for equal rights, AAFE has transformed in the past four decades to become one of New York's preeminent housing, social service and community development organizations.

About FCBA

The Flushing Chinese Business Association, a.k.a. FCBA, is a non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization incorporated in the state of New York, our bylaws showing FCBA is a not-for-profit corporation follow by 501(c)(3) rules and regulations. All of its activities are carried out in compliance with the bylaws of the land. All actions taken by its President, Executive Director, and Board members are subject to the approval of its Board and the scrutiny of its membership.

Since its formation in 1982, FCBA has actively and successfully carried out the purposed for which it was formed. The success stems from the support of its membership as well as the efforts and dedication of all current and former members of its Board of Directors and advisers. Its accomplishments have been widely recognized.

About MetroPlus Health Plan

Since 1985, MetroPlus Health Plan has built a reputation for providing access to affordable, quality health care to eligible New Yorkers. A wholly-owned subsidiary of NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation's largest public health system, MetroPlus is the plan of choice for over half a million New Yorkers. In addition to Medicaid Managed Care, MetroPlus offers Child Health Plus; several Medicare Plans; a Special Needs Plan (SNP) for people with HIV and their families; a Long-Term Managed Care Plan; MetroPlus Gold, a plan exclusively for New York City employees; FIDA and HARP plans, and more than five dozen NY State of Health Marketplace products. The company's robust network of primary care doctors and specialists includes many independent community providers. Culturally sensitive, and fluent in more than 40 languages, MetroPlus staff is as diverse as the great city it serves. Visit us at metroplus.org and join the conversation at facebook.com/metroplushealth and @metroplushealth.