Hitting nerves and touching souls

The Times' latest reporting on healthcare, which led to major changes in how Blue Cross operates, and an evocative story about a man at sea are just two articles that have had readers sending notes of (mostly) appreciation.

The Times had obtained a copy of a letter being sent by Blue Cross of California asking physicians to look for conditions it could use to cancel coverage of new patients. Reporter Lisa Girion's front-page piece of Feb. 12 detailed the outrage on the part of some doctors. As a result, the Times story the next day was headlined, "Blue Cross halts letters amid furor."

Reader Jimmy Honda of Long Beach who works at an outpatient physical therapy facility that, he says, "has been dealing with denial of reimbursement since November 2006," wrote, "Excellent work. We are simply amazed that your article alone stopped Blue Cross'  lousy practice in just one day. Job well done."

That second-day story, by Girion and Jordan Rau, is a part of the coverage that has had readers sending their own stories about insurance companies' canceling coverage. One reader, who didn't want to be named because of her ongoing tangle over her health insurance, ended her note with a sentiment  common to many of the responses: "Thanks for putting this vital information out there."

Reaction wasn't all positive. This came from D.M. Pooler of Los Angeles: "I see nothing wrong with Blue Shield's letters to physicians. If the physicians do not reveal the true nature of the applicant's health, the physicians are  committing fraud, concealment and misrepresentation.  We all know that many physicians do this anyway.  Blue Cross is simply attempting to prevent insurance applicants from defrauding them. Too bad you paint such a negative picture about the insurers."

Finally, Girion received this from Cheryl Bame of Irvine: "If anyone thinks that journalism doesn't make a difference, they obviously are not reading your articles. I enjoy monitoring your coverage of HMOs. Your editors must love you."

Columbia Journalism Review had its own attagirl for Girion and The Times.

A very different story about life's struggles also moved readers to respond:

"The Sunstar's ancient twin diesels fire up like an old man clearing his throat," starts the story about the man who went from a "cowboy type" seeking adventure at sea years ago to a 61-year-old diver who, after 36 years, is tethered to a diminishing industry.

Reporter Joe Mozingo's Column One brought more than 30 comments like those of Bill Norton of Venice:  "I really enjoyed your piece on the aging urchin diver.  I don't normally send notes to newspaper reporters. In fact, this is the first time that I've ever done so. The battle against age touches us all.  You touched me. Keep up the good work."

Thomas Fay of Manhattan Beach elaborates: "Your story puts the reader in the boat and in the ocean.  By your description of the variables (aged equipment, dangerous waters, elder divers and a declining market for their catch), it makes your subjects outstanding for their determination to marginally succeed against big odds.  Despite all the long and hard hours of work, Terry Herzik’s family’s success shines. Congratulations on your outstanding story that gripped my soul as I read it."

And this succinct note from Matt Olmstead of Hancock Park: "It's articles like yours today that are the reason I subscribe to The Times. First rate."