Join Hudson Health Plan in Ulster County for a Free and Fun Bicycle Safety Rodeo on June 22nd

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. - June 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Rather than letting your kids vegetate in front of a video screen this summer, get them mobile. No, not a smartphone; we’re talking bikes! Show them how much fun (and healthy) outdoor activities can be – and while you’re at it, find out how to keep them safe, too – at a free Bicycle Safety Rodeo sponsored by Hudson Health Plan (Hudson). The biking event will be held at Lippman Park in Wawarsing, NY on June 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your children’s bikes for free bicycle safety inspections, and let safety officers teach youngsters the rules of the road and how to wear a helmet (it’s not as simple as it sounds).

Even if you don’t have a bicycle, there are plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Young children will love the “exotic” animals they encounter at a petting zoo, as well as Hudson Health Plan’s own loveable panda mascot. Both young and old will be amazed by an eye-popping “dare devil” biking performance that doubles as a safety demonstration, too. What’s more, everyone who attends will be eligible for several free bike giveaways, courtesy of Sports Authority and Hudson.

Hudson’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo is open to the public and will offer the following activities – all absolutely free:

Bicycle safety inspections

Several bike giveaways, courtesy of Sports Authority and Hudson

Petting Zoo, operated by Animal Alley Productions

Bicycle obstacle course

Bicycle stunt and safety performance by BMX Exhibition

Popcorn and water

Music

Hudson’s very own panda mascot

Nutritional information and fruits & veggies, courtesy of ShopRite

Childhood weight management information and tips, courtesy of Hudson

So why is Hudson, a not-for-profit health plan, doing all of this for members and non-members alike? “We want to create healthier communities,” explains Mark Santiago, Senior Vice President of Operations at Hudson. “After the stress of the school year, summer is a great time to hit the restart button and get the whole family moving and eating right. We want everyone to know that healthy living today means better health tomorrow.”

Hudson will also be distributing information about obtaining free and low-cost children’s health insurance. “Not every family knows that state health insurance is available to almost every child in New York State,” notes Santiago. “Having health insurance can make a big difference in a child’s life. Studies show that children with health insurance are more likely to visit the doctor regularly than children who are not insured. That’s important because access to regular health care helps children stay healthy, and helps control chronic diseases, such as asthma, which can adversely affect school attendance.”

Hudson’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo was arranged in collaboration with Wawarsing Council of Agencies and Mano A Mano. The public is invited to visit the events page on Hudson’s website (http://www.hudsonhealthplan.org/events/detail?occurrence_...) for more information.

Hudson Health Plan’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo

Lippman Park, Route 209 in Wawarsing, NY

Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(Rain date is June 23)

About Hudson Health Plan

Hudson Health Plan is a community-based not-for-profit health care organization that provides state-sponsored Medicaid Managed Care, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus insurance coverage to 120,000 members in New York’s Hudson Valley. Hudson uses every government dollar it receives to fulfill its mission, which is “to promote and provide access to excellent health services for all people.” Hudson improves the health of its members and the communities in which they live through its innovations in integrated care coordination, and by working with more than 5,000 local health providers. Hudson received the national 2012 Medicaid Health Plan Innovation Award for its Westchester Cares Action Program, an innovative integrated care management project. In both 2009 and 2010, Hudson achieved the highest quality incentive scores of any Medicaid plan in New York State, and in 2010, it received the highest overall performance rating of any Medicaid plan in the Hudson Valley. It also has earned the highest ratings in overall satisfaction among Medicaid Managed Care members in the Hudson Valley region since 2003.

Hudson Health Plan is based in Tarrytown, N.Y. Visit Hudson at www.hudsonhealthplan.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hudsonhealthplan, and on Twitter at @HudsonHealth (https://twitter.com/#!/HudsonHealth).