List date(s) this work was published or aired.
10/11/2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Though the GOP’s plan to transform Medicare into a competitive ‘premium support’ system was a point of heated debate between Democrats and Republicans during the 2012 presidential campaign, the concept has a history of bipartisan collaboration. This interactive timeline (meant to be viewed and clicked through in a web browser) provides context for the Medicare reform discussion and shows how the concept of premium support progressed from a bipartisan reform approach to a deeply partisan issue.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Reporter Donald Sjoerdsma used several Internet resources to precisely understand how the political arguments about premium support have evolved. He used top academic journals, government documents and recent media coverage. (See list below for all resources.) Sources: The New England Journal of Medicine studies, Health Affairs studies, The National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare meeting transcripts, the Domenici-Rivlin plan, Paul Ryan’s Roadmap to America’s Future, Bowles-Simpson Deficit Commission documents, Paul Ryan’s FY 2012 budget, Alice Rivlin’s interview with Ezra Klein, Bipartisan Options for the Future (drafted by Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Paul Ryan), Ryan’s FY 2013 budget, and media coverage of the Romney campaign.
Explain types of human sources used.
No interviews were conducted.
Results:
Sjoerdsma found that the idea of managed competition in Medicare has bipartisan roots. Recently the parties worked together on the issue as well. First, Alice Rivlin, former budget director of the Clinton administration, and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) endorsed a plan to overhaul the Medicare system, a plan that didn’t include traditional Medicare as an option. It happened a second time when Ryan and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) crafted a proposal. Their proposal included traditional Medicare as an option, but Widen backed away from it shortly after GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney added Ryan to his ticket. Readers also learn, in each instance, when and why Democrats distanced themselves from premium support.
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.
No
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Think beyond the talking points. Research thoroughly so you don’t miss any crucial documents.