April 14, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daphne Colangelo or Carol Chernack
Horizon/Mercy
609-538-0700 exts. 5153 and 5290

BE WISE-IMMUNIZE:
Horizon/Mercy Highlights Need to Immunize Children and Teens

TRENTON, N.J., April 14, 2003 —

"Horizon/Mercy is honored to serve as one of the committed community partners in this coordinated outreach to promote the value of preventive health care and the need to immunize infants and children to help keep them healthy," commented Dr. Arnold Finkel, Medical Director at Horizon/Mercy. He joined many others at a Press Conference held April 14, 2003 in the Rotunda of Newark City Hall to help promote National Infants Immunization Week - April 13-19, 2003.

"We applaud La Casa de Don Pedro, along with their partners from the many city organizations and agencies, the city of Newark and Mayor Sharpe James for recognizing the importance of immunizations. Horizon/Mercy is, and will continue to be, focused on a mission to expand access and enhance the quality of health care to the publicly insured.

According to the National Partnership for Immunization: "Vaccines are one of public health's greatest triumphs. With the exception of safe water, no other health strategy, not even antibiotics, has had such a tremendous effect on reducing disease among people of all ages in the U.S."

Emphasizing the need for proper and timely immunizations for infants and children, Dr. Finkel highlighted the unique programs Horizon/Mercy has developed, exemplified by the company's nationally praised CHAMPS (Children's Health Assessment and Maintenance of Preventive Services). This program is designed to help maintain the health of children from birth through adolescence and assists in keeping children's immunization schedules up-to-date.

Horizon/Mercy is New Jersey's largest managed health care organization serving the publicly insured, providing health services to more than 270,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. Horizon/Mercy was awarded Health Plan full accreditation in 2002 by URAC, also known as the American Health Care Commission. Horizon/Mercy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, has its headquarters in West Trenton, NJ.