Deadline Approaches for 2008 March of Dimes' Arizona 'Nurses of the Year' Awards

Business Wire, June 2, 2008

Health Net of Arizona Helps Nursing Shortage and Contributes to Fund Scholarships

TEMPE, Ariz. -- We trust them. We admire them. We need them. They are nurses. Unfortunately, Arizona is facing a shortage of registered nurses, and the problem is reaching critical proportion. The March of Dimes Arizona Chapter and Health Net of Arizona designed the "Nurses of the Year" awards gala five years ago in response to the severe nursing shortage in Arizona.

The collaboration was created to say "thank you" to hundreds of Arizona nurses for all that they do. This year's awards gala will be held August 23 at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, and the deadline to submit nominations is almost here. The March of Dimes is accepting nominations from patients, friends, families and colleagues of nurses from across the state now through June 5.

The purpose of the event is to raise the public's awareness of and interest in the diverse and rewarding careers available to registered nurses, to recognize the contribution that registered nurses are making in Arizona, to fund the mission of the March of Dimes, to save babies and to provide scholarships for nursing students.

In addition to honoring nurses, presenting sponsor Health Net of Arizona has once again joined with the March of Dimes, to provide scholarships to nursing students throughout Arizona. Last year, the partnership funded $24,000 in scholarships, presenting $4,000 checks to nursing schools at Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Maricopa County Community College, Northern Arizona University, Pima Community College and the University of Arizona.

"We realize the magnitude of the problem facing Arizona," said Chuck Sowers, president of Health Net of Arizona. "The health and well-being of Arizona residents depends on the high quality care that nurses provide."

Arizona nurses will be honored for their service in 13 categories, ranging from "Rising Star" to "Distinguished Nurse," and including "Patient Care," "Leadership," "Advocacy," "Military," "Prenatal/Pediatric Care" and others.

Complete details and nomination forms are available by calling 602-266-9933 or visiting www.marchofdimes.com/arizona. Nominations can be faxed to the March of Dimes at 602-266-9793. The gala includes a reception and silent auction, dinner, dancing, announcement of the winners and presentation of the awards and scholarships.

About Arizona's nursing shortage: Arizona has 628 RNs per 100,000 people according to the most recent report from the Governor's Nursing Shortage Task Force.

About Health Net of Arizona, Inc.

Health Net of Arizona has offices in Tempe and Tucson, employing nearly 350 associates statewide. Health Net of Arizona offers and administers a full spectrum of health care plans and specialty services, including coverage for vision, dental, life insurance(a), chiropractic and alternative medicine. Products include: Employer-sponsored Plans (HMO, PPO(a), POS Plus(a) and Indemnity(a)); Medicare Advantage Plans; Individual and Family Plans (HMO and PPO(a)); and National Provider network for PPO and POS Plus product. Health Net of Arizona serves approximately 175,000 members. ((a) Offered by Health Net Life Insurance Company and administered by Health Net of Arizona.)

Health Net of Arizona has been serving Arizonans for 27 years and is proud to be selected as Arizona's No. 1 HMO for four years in a row -- 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and the No. 2 PPO, based on the state's largest business opinion poll, "Ranking Arizona," which is conducted annually by Arizona Business Magazine.

Health Net of Arizona, Inc. is a subsidiary of Health Net Inc. (NYSE:HNT). Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies and also is one of the nation's largest Medicare Advantage contractors, based on membership. Health Net's mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company's health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.8 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs, including 180,000 in Arizona. Health Net, Inc.'s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health services to approximately 6.9 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.

Cautionary Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical information provided herein, including but not limited to the guidance for future periods included herein and the assumptions underlying such projections, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management's analysis, judgment, belief and expectation only as of the date hereof, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Without limiting the foregoing, the guidance as to expected future period results and statements including the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "may," "should," "could," "estimate," "intend" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to, among other things, rising health care costs, negative prior period claims reserve developments, trends in medical care ratios, unexpected utilization patterns or unexpectedly severe or widespread illnesses, membership declines, rate cuts affecting our Medicare or Medicaid business, issues relating to provider contracts, litigation costs, regulatory issues, operational issues, health care reform and general business conditions. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in the "Risk Factors" section included within the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise its guidance, the assessment of the underlying assumptions or any of its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this release.