List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Dec. 30, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
This story placed the medical loss ratio debate — which has seen more heat than light — in the context not only of political decisions, but business realities.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
This story used publicly available information, but combined disparate sources in a new way to provide a business context.
Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed individuals for this story, but I made the difficult decision to leave their comments out of the final product. The written records and numbers told the story better.
Results:
The debate continues. Proponents of amending federal regulations and the Affordable Care Act to change MLR rules are not gaining traction.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
The facts of this story have not been challenged.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
When political rhetoric rises over the business of health care, look how the companies are doing, how they are responding to changing conditions and where their interests lie. Neither the business elements nor the political elements tell the whole story. They are intertwined.