Author Archives: Deborah Crowe

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About Deborah Crowe

Deborah Crowe (@dcrowe60) is an independent journalist, longtime AHCJ member and copy editor for healthjournalism.org. She can be reached at debcrowe2@yahoo.com.

Senate plans quicker action than House on its health care reform bill

If Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has his way, the Senate’s Obamacare repeal-and-replace process will be a disciplined and at-times clandestine whirlwind romance, culminating in a shotgun wedding. The goal: have the landmark legislation ready for President Trump’s signature by the time Congress breaks for the Independence Day holiday. Continue reading

New tip sheet gives guidance for reporting on health care in rural areas

Image by Let Ideas Compete via Flickr

Journalists from around the country converged on Fort Worth, Texas, this summer to enhance their reporting skills at AHCJ’s eighth Rural Health Journalism Workshop.

Among them was Susan Heavey, AHCJ’s topic leader on health disparities and the social determinants of health care. In a new tip sheet, Susan notes that rural communities face special challenges in attracting and retaining providers, and in keeping hospitals and other critical care facilities open. One surprising trend: Many military veterans – some suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder – often settle in rural communities after their service, putting stress on already limited mental health care resources.

For her tip sheet, Susan combed the best from the one-day workshop’s panels by health care and policy experts who focus on the medical challenges of rural areas. She also highlights some subsequent stories that have been written by attendees.