Sam Tynan

Reuters received the gold awardin the fourth annual Barlett & Steele Awards for Investigative Business Journalism, the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism announced today. "Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, Dropped by Insurer" by Murray Waas of Reuters received the top award of $5,000. A giant health insurer, WellPoint, had targeted policyholders recently diagnosed with breast cancer for investigations with the intent to cancel their policies. An exhaustive investigative effort led to the Murray Waas story.

"Reuters and Murray Waas contrasted the upfront public stance of a health-care company and its CEO to the reality behind the scenes," said the judges. "The Murray Waas investigation led to government pressure to change the practice of dropping coverage for patients- even atfer diagnosed with breast cancer.