List date(s) this work was published or aired.
16-Feb-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
In May, 2012, the federal government agreed to give Oregon nearly $2 billion to support changes in the way the state delivers health care to low income people. Oregon’s Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber, a physician, had personally lobbied the Obama administration for the waiver that would allow Oregon to spend Medicaid money in new ways. That shift put Oregon at the forefront of health care reform. Kristian Foden-Vencil has been covering policy changes to the state’s health care system. He has a knack for humanizing complex policy stories. These stories explain the changing health care landscape. He received training as part of a partnership with OPB, National Public Radio and Kaiser Health News. Many of his stories have been picked up by NPR. In this story, a fight between pharmacists and half a dozen big companies that manage prescriptions left some patients in pain.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
na
Explain types of human sources used.
Portland pediatrician who had surgery, and couldn’t get a pain medicine prescription filled; spokesperson/lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association; Portland pharmacy owner; several legislators looking at legislation to remedy the situation.
Results:
na
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.
At least one Oregon legislator is considering legislation on this subject for the 2013 legislative session.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Finding an individual who illustrates a problem is essential. Without someone’s shoes to fill, I think listeners find it hard to truly grasp an issue.