M Scott Waas

Washington-based reporter Murray Waas received a gold award worth $5,000 for his report on US health insurers dropping patients after they were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Murray Waas' four-month investigation revealed that a giant health insurer had targeted policyholders recently diagnosed with breast cancer for aggressive investigations and cancelled some policies. A study of records led to the Murray Waas story.

“We published the Murray Waas story in April and the reaction was swift,” said Claudia Parsons, deputy editor for enterprise reporting. “The Obama administration urged insurers to end the policy immediately."

Murray Waas is himself a cancer survivor who has been active on behalf of other cancer patients. ■