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Health Net and the USO of Metropolitan Washington Team Up for Annual Celebration of Children

^{Published on 2008-12-07 08:43:12 - Market Wire}
 

ARLINGTON, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Health Net Federal Services, LLC, the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT) today announced its 17^th annual Celebration of Children, to be hosted in conjunction with United Service Organizations (USO) of Metropolitan Washington.

For the second consecutive year, children of USO families are invited to attend the celebration. Over 200 children from military bases across the DC Metro region will participate in the event on Dec. 6, 2008, at the Community Center on Fort Myer. Children will enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, games, face painting and presents distributed by Health Net associates dressed as Santa's helpers in the ballroom, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland.

The Health Net holiday tradition began in 1992 when the company replaced its holiday party with a morning of fun and games for local disadvantaged children ages 4 – 12. Health Net employees participate in the event by dressing up as elves, volunteering at the party and donating toys for the children. Since its inception, Health Net's Celebration of Children has brightened the holiday season for more than 20,000 children across the country.

"It is Health Net's tradition to reach out to our military families and respond to the unique challenges they face in meaningful ways," said Steve Tough, president, Health Net Federal Services. "Celebration of Children is a special opportunity to recognize and support the children of military families who serve to protect our country."

"USO of Metropolitan Washington is pleased to participate in this year's Celebration of Children," said Elaine Rogers, president of USO of Metropolitan Washington. "The event provides a welcome diversion for our local military children, especially those experiencing the stresses and strains associated with the deployment of a parent or loved one."

Health Net's Celebration of Children program begins in December in Arlington and continues in Arizona, California, Connecticut, New Jersey and Oregon.

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company's health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.7 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net's behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 7.0 million individuals in all 50 states. The company's subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company's Web site at [ www.healthnet.com ].