Horizon NJ Health Medical Director Elected Chairperson Of New Jersey Poison Information And Education Services (NJPIES) Advisory Committee

(West Trenton, NJ - April 18, 2006) - Dr. Arnold Finkel, a Medical Director at Horizon NJ Health and a resident of Denville, NJ, has been elected Chair of the 21-person New Jersey Poison Information and Education Services (NJPIES) Advisory Committee. NJPIES is a non-profit organization that coordinates the treatment and distribution of information concerning poisons, drugs and targeted health issues, including lead, HIV/AIDS and disaster recovery via telephone management, consultation, education and research statewide.

"NJPIES serves New Jersey in many ways and I am honored to be a part of its outreach and education," commented Dr. Finkel. "The NJPIES hotline, often referred to as 'poison control,' has provided counsel to more than a million New Jersey residents."

At NJPIES, once a call is made, physicians, pharmacists, nurses and other professionally trained staff are available to assess whether treatment measures can be made at home or if a visit to the hospital is necessary. Staff can also respond to concerns from other health professionals by providing current and accurate information related to certain drugs and their therapeutic uses.

For more information: New Jersey Poison Information & Education System
Web site: www.njpies.org. The emergency number is: 1-800-222-1222.

Horizon NJ Health is New Jersey's largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured, providing health services to more than 300,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. Headquartered in West Trenton, NJ, Horizon NJ Health is a subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ). Horizon NJ Health's Web site is located at www.horizonNJhealth.com.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) with headquarters in Newark, NJ is New Jersey's largest health insurer, providing coverage to more than 3.2 million people. Horizon BCBSNJ's Web site is located at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Contact: Horizon NJ Health
Carol Chernack, 609-538-0700 x5290
carol_chernack@horizonNJhealth.com