At the beginning of the New Year, New Tang Dynasty Television and NY State of Health successfully held the first “New York State Health Insurance Consultation Conference” at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, New York on January 18. The event featured five themed seminars, over 30 booths, and attracted over 400 enthusiastic participants. The event provided detailed information on the latest healthcare policies, offering a wealth of health and insurance information. It received high praise from federal, state, and city council members.
This health consultation conference received commendations from members of the U.S. Congress, the New York State Assembly, and the New York City Council. Congresswoman Grace Meng expressed in her commendation, “This health event provided a valuable opportunity for our community to access important health and welfare knowledge and resources.” New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim stated in his commendation that the collaboration between New Tang Dynasty and NY State of Health was an excellent performance in community service and had made long-standing contributions to the community.
New York City Council Member Sandra Ung personally attended the event and presented commendations. She congratulated the organizers for holding such a necessary health expo for the community, especially highlighting the importance of providing healthcare resources and related knowledge in the local language for a community with a large elderly population. She also mentioned that she had already launched her reelection campaign this year and promised to continue supporting such health events if elected.
The health expo featured five guest speakers who shared the latest health insurance information and abundant health and immigration resources, attracting a full house audience. During the Q&A session, attendees eagerly raised their hands to ask about their insurance-related concerns and visited the booths of the guest speakers for further inquiries.
To provide the public with insights into the latest policies in 2025, NY State of Health representative Chen Minmin delivered a speech on “NY State of Health 2025 Enrollment Guidelines” and addressed questions raised by attendees on-site.
Chen stated that NY State of Health’s official health insurance marketplace in New York provides a one-stop platform for purchasing subsidized or unsubsidized insurance plans. It is the sole official agency that evaluates eligibility and processes financial aid applications, allowing New Yorkers to easily compare health insurance plans and access affordable high-quality insurance, including comprehensive benefits such as free preventive care. Chen also reminded attendees not to miss the renewal period before January 31.
First Health’s Vice President Wu Yeqi spoke on “2025 Healthcare Updates,” elucidating the latest healthcare trends to further educate the public on the benefits and renewal processes of the newest health insurance plans. She emphasized, “We must not let societal changes affect our confidence in our health.”
Addressing the concerns of new immigrants for themselves and their families in the new year, Wu mentioned, “Specific discount plans are available in New York for new immigrants at different stages, including children, adults, and those aged 65 and above without legal status, allowing them to enjoy various healthcare benefits based on their age.”
Acupuncturist Zhang Guiying from New York expounded on “Health Preservation Methods During the Transition from Winter to Spring.” She emphasized the importance of protecting the body against invasions by viruses and other pathogens during this transitional season and recommended consuming “white foods like lotus seeds, water lilies, and pears” to strengthen lung health. Zhang stressed the need to preserve vital energy in order to maintain high immunity in the coming spring.
Furthermore, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs set up a booth to facilitate the issuance of municipal IDs. Community Activities Coordinator Lydia Li from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs conducted a seminar on “Know Your Rights.”
American virologist and microbiology Ph.D. Lin Xiaoxu briefed the audience on the latest transmission status of avian influenza N5N1 in the United States, advising individuals to thoroughly cook poultry at high temperatures before consumption and maintain good personal hygiene habits.
The event featured diverse booths for interactive engagement with attendees, catering to various community needs, including NY State of Health, First Health registration, free check-ups, traditional Chinese medicine consultations, blood pressure tests, podiatry examinations, home care services, and more than 30 other booths. Over 400 attendees participated in the event, which also featured rich interactive activities and prize drawings.
A booth from “Zhuoran Chiropractic Treatment Studio” from Queens showcased a model of the spine, introducing non-surgical traction natural therapies for spinal diseases to educate the public. The practitioner, Dr. Lin, expressed that many people were unaware of their chiropractic treatments and hoped to raise awareness among the attendees, especially within the Chinese community.
The Brazilian propolis brand “Wildflower Premium Green Propolis” offered samples for tasting at their booth. Helen, the representative, noted the high interest from middle-aged and elderly attendees in learning about the various health benefits of propolis. She believed that distributing information at the event could effectively promote their brand.
Ms. Zheng, a Chinese attendee, introduced three specialized dental practices at a dental booth – Neat Dentistry, Sour Lime Dentistry, and U&I DENTAL ARTS, and distributed small blankets and other gifts to attendees.
The atmosphere at the health expo was vibrant, with attendees like Mr. Chen who had attended multiple events expressing his gratitude for New Tang Dynasty’s consistent efforts in organizing such gatherings, providing a platform for the community to come together.
“It’s a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones, and it greatly uplifts my mood,” he said. He believed that the event served as a social opportunity, emphasizing that face-to-face interactions among people are irreplaceable by social media. Attendees engaged in lectures and showed increased awareness towards health, which might otherwise be overlooked in their daily lives.
In addition to the health booths, legal firms also set up booths at the event. Mr. Wang, a new immigrant, sought advice from the law firms of Susan Qin and David Chen, hoping to secure legal status in the United States. He mentioned that he received valuable guidance from the consultations.