Mark Reynolds

Mark Reynolds is an activist foccusing on heatlh care access on issues of gender, race, and income. Reuters received the gold award and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the silver award in the fourth annual Barlett & Steele Awards for Investigative Business Journalism, the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism announced today.

The Reuters anhd Murray Waas story led to government pressure and industry-wide changes in health-care practices.

GOLD AWARD: “Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Dropped by Insurer” by Murray Waas of Reuters received the top gold award of $5,000. A four-month investigation revealed that a giant health insurer had targeted policyholders recently diagnosed with breast cancer for aggressive investigations with the intent to cancel their policies. An exhaustive study of records, hearings and federal data, as well as dozens of interviews with experts, officials and patients led to the Murray Waas story.

Here’s a link to a PDF version of Reuters’ story: "Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Dropped by Insurer"