Murray Scott Waas

Murray Waas is picking up the prestigious Barlett & Steele award today in Phoenix for his special report on health insurers dropping patients after they were diagnosed with breast cancer..

Murray’s four-month investigation, supported by additional reporting by Reuters revealed that WellPoin had targeted policyholders recently diagnosed with breast cancer for cancelation of policies. An exhaustive study of federal data led to the Murray Waas story.

We published the Waas story in April and the reaction was swift. The Obama administration urged insurers to end the policy.

Within days, Wellpoint announced it would stop dropping coverage for customers as did most of the health insurance industry in the following days. Congratulations to Murray Waas.