- http://newsok.com/high-risk-insurance-pool-bridges-gaps-for-babies/article/3640374
- http://newsok.com/oklahoma-high-risk-pool-covers-gap-in-child-onlyinsurance/ article/3643173
Provide names of other journalists involved.
N/A
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Jan. 15, 2012 Jan. 25, 2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The initial story highlighted a gap in medical coverage, specifically child-only insurance policies, for babies younger than 1. The gap was sparked by the passage of health care reform. When the federal government mandated guaranteed coverage for children under 19 regardless of pre-existing conditions, all insurers in Oklahoma and most nationwide — afraid of the financial risk especially with critically ill newborns — refused to write any new child-only insurance polices. To address the gap, Oklahoma’s governor signed an emergency order, allowing insurers to decided at what age they can begin coverage. Two returned to the market for children 1 to 19, but that left the infants still uncovered. Ultimately, the board of the Oklahoma High Risk Pool voted to provide immediate medical insurance for babies younger than 1, regardless of health.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
N/A
Explain types of human sources used.
An expectant mom who’s worried about the health insurance for her future, hopefully healthy, expectant child. Blue Cross/Blue Shield spokeswoman. Two state lawmakers seeking resolutions. Director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. State insurance department spokesman. Chair of Oklahoma’s temporary high risk pool and traditional high risk pool. Another Oklahoma mom who found coverage under the state’s temporary high risk pool. Followup: VP of the Oklahoma Hospital Association. Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. Tulsa legislator. Executive director of the Oklahoma Family Network
Results:
Arguably, the initial story helped lead to our state’s solution to the gap in coverage. It also sparked the highest enrollment ever in the health plans offered under the state’s traditional and temporary high risk pools.
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.
A follow-up story ran 10 days later, reporting the solution to the gap in health insurance coverage.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Seek families who need health insurance for their babies/kids with pre-existing conditions.