Judges’ comments:
Elizabeth Simpson of the Virginian-Pilot, for her engaging, compelling use of individual case studies to illustrate major health policy issues, from genetic testing and the dilemma it poses (a Huntington’s disease family) to the impact that the new federal health care law may have on individuals and families, both in abolishing lifetime benefit limits and exclusions of pre-existing conditions, and through demonstration projects testing less expensive, more humane delivery of care (illustrated here by a doctor whose practice consists entirely of house calls.)
1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
“House call doctor”
“Life-or-death coin toss”
“Brain injured lack services”
“Lifetime insurance cap threatens family”.
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Jan. 24, 2010; Nov. 21, 2010; Dec. 5, 2010; May 15, 2010.
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
House call doctor daily work highlights health-care reform issues such as end-of-life decisions and rationing of care. Life-or-death coin toss shows the emotional terrain that genetic testing holds. Family’s nightmare illustrates the lack of treatment available for people with brain injuries. Insurance cap story shows one family’s experience with hitting a cap that health care reform recently eliminated for children.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
FOI request for state Medicaid records for out-of-state placements for people with brain injuries. Medical insurance records.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
Spent time with the subjects and interviews with family members and others who work and know the subjects. Went out on house calls.
6. Results (if any).
Better understanding of genetic testing and its impact, inside view of health-care reform issues through the eyes of a doctor who treats people at the end of their lives, highlighted a family caught in an insurance cap situation months before health care reform would remove their cap, unveiled dearth of services available to Medicaid people who have brain injuries.
7. 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.
No corrections or clarifications.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Find proper subjects who are willing to be open.