This is an example of how sports journalism can have an impact.

Last October, Jeremy Schaap told the tragic story of an Illinois high school player for E:60.

ESPN E:60 | “Busted Coverage” ~ Jeremy Schaap from Bluefoot Entertainment on Vimeo.

In 2000, Rocky Clark, 16, suffered two broken vertebrae and a devastating spinal cord injury in an Eisenhower High School football game. He was paralyzed from the neck down. His family was told by school officials Rocky’s medical costs would be covered by Eisenhower’s insurance. Full-time nursing, medication, supplies, and his own determination allowed Rocky to surpass life expectancy for most quadriplegics.

Then at age 26, ten years later, the insurance company sent a letter saying Rocky’s lifetime maximum of $5 million had been reached and coverage for his care was ended. Medicaid and limited state resources helped a little, but the quality of his care declined and, in January of 2012, Rocky died.

How was this allowed to happen? Thankfully, the story struck a chord with people who can make a difference.

Illinois State Senator Napoleon B. Harris III wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again. From the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus staff:

“Rocky’s attitude was always inspiring, and his experience inspired his mother, his family, supporters and me to do something to prevent uninsured catastrophic injury costs,” said State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III. “I’m sponsoring Senate Bill 2178 to require catastrophic insurance be in place so in a worst case scenario, our student athletes and their families aren’t left on their own.”

Harris’ measure would require public high school districts and private high schools to provide catastrophic accident insurance for all student athletes in IHSA programs, and to set benefit limits of $7.5 million or 15 years, in excess of other insurance provided by the school district. It would require IHSA to provide a group policy to ensure coverage is affordable for school district. The bill does not dictate a funding source, but the cost of $5-10 per student could be an extracurricular activity fee, raised by a parent-booster group, or through other fundraising. Iowa passed a similar law, and the Iowa Farm Bureau stepped up to cover the cost.

National media coverage, including ESPN, helped shed light on Rocky’s story. Representative Will Davis sponsored a bill in the House in 2012 similar to SB2178, and is doing the same this year. Davis and Harris are working together for passage of this measure in 2013. SB 2178 passed in the Senate Insurance Committee Wednesday, and House Bill 127 is currently in the House Education Committee.