- https://docs.google.com/a/cironline.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aron_swLY3UXdFViSlhaZnhxMTRyV3JDRlp5V21xanc#gid=0
- http://www.baycitizen.org/health/story/grant-story/
- http://www.baycitizen.org/health/story/lawmakers-question-health-districts/
Provide names of other journalists involved.
Authors: Jennifer Gollan and Katharine Mieszkowski
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
March 10, 2012; April 11, 2012; July 30, 2012.
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Our examination exposed gross mismanagement of taxpayer-funded funded health care districts in California. Our story revealed that districts spent thousands of dollars on free, lifetime health care benefits for board trustees, as well as consultants, lawyers and public relations, even as they neglected the basic health needs of the community. Some districts had also stockpiled millions in reserves for dubious projects.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The authors analyzed analyzed the financial oversight of more than 70 health care districts using five years worth of audits, budgets, as well as financial disclosures and tax returns obtained through FOIA requests. The project also involved historical records, meeting minutes, contracts, vendor payments and tax filings obtained through public records requests.
Explain types of human sources used.
The authors interviewed dozens of current and former health care district officials, state lawmakers, financial experts and uninsured patients, including some who spoke through a translator in their native Mandarin.
Results:
The series prompted one health care district to release $4.6 million to fund health care for 1,000 uninsured patients. In addition, lawmakers convened a state Legislative oversight hearing, where they demanded more accountability and transparency from top health district officials. In addition, Assemblyman Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento), chairman of Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review, intends to introduce a bill next year that would require districts to spend more on the community, among other accountability measures.
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.
File all FOIA requests electronically, organize financial holdings into an Excel spreadsheet. Keep a running list of latest findings and update it each day. Use Document Cloud to organize records and annotate story drafts to streamline the fact-checking process.