STAT Clinches Third Polk Award for Groundbreaking ‘Health Care’s Colossus’ Series: Discover the Impact and Insights!

Hi everyone!

I’m excited to share some fantastic news! Four journalists from STAT have just won the George W. Polk Award, a top honor in American journalism. Their incredible series dives into how UnitedHealth Group uses its vast physician network to grow profits and influence.

Long before the shocking death of a key executive last December drew attention to the company, reporters Bob Herman, Tara Bannow, Casey Ross, and Lizzy Lawrence were already examining UnitedHealth’s questionable practices. They saw its behavior as similar to that of Standard Oil, a historical example of corporate monopolization, and felt it deserved serious investigation.

The Polk Award judges noted that STAT’s series, “Health Care’s Colossus,” offered an in-depth look at UnitedHealth’s significant impact on our healthcare system. They pointed out how the company profits while putting burdens on taxpayers, patients, and healthcare providers, treating patients like commodities rather than individuals.

This award marks STAT’s third Polk win in five years. Previously, Helen Branswell earned the award for her insightful Covid-19 coverage, while another team won for their investigation into Biogen’s controversial Alzheimer’s treatment.

John Darnton, who oversees the Polk awards, praised this year’s winners for delivering exceptional reporting that stands out in the industry.

Additionally, the Colossus series has also been nominated as a finalist for the National Magazine Awards in the public interest category, showcasing the importance of its findings. STAT itself is recognized as a finalist for excellence in special interest publications.

As we continue to navigate the shifting landscape of health and science, our reporting is more vital than ever. Recent stories have revealed significant developments, like plans by the Trump administration to cut healthcare jobs and the potential impacts on public health initiatives.

Many new readers are joining us daily to keep up with these essential stories.

If you enjoy our free articles but haven’t subscribed, we would truly appreciate your support. Our journalism requires resources, and subscribers play a crucial role in making it possible. A lot of our in-depth articles are for subscribers only.

Want to know more about how we work? Check out this video where I chat with the award-winning reporters about the Colossus series. You’ll see why I’m so proud of their achievements.

We are committed to providing impactful journalism on the political and technological forces shaping our health. Thanks for being part of our journey!

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