1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Health Care Overhaul and Its Aftermath" by Julie Rovner; Editors: Joe Neel and April Fulton; Julia Buckely, Producer, Primary Care Series story #3
Audio File 1 | Audio File 2 | Audio File 3 | Audio File 4
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
"Republicans Spurn Once-Favored Health Mandate," Feb. 15, 2010
"Your Health Bill Questions Answered," March 25, 2010
"Future of Primary Care:Midlevel Providers Fill Primary Care Doctors' Shoes," Aug. 27, 2010
"Health Care May Not Want Itself Repealed," Nov. 20, 2010
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
These stories represent a tiny fraction of Rovner's in-depth and unmatched coverage of the final debate, passage, and early implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The first showcases her long institutional memory; while others were still engaged in ‘he said-she said' stories, Rovner pointed out that the most controversial element of the measure, the requirement that most individuals have health insurance, was an idea originally introduced by Republicans, not Democrats. She knew that because she covered it at the time, in the late 1980s. The second story is one of several segments on All Things Considered where Rovner researched and answered specific listener questions about how the law could affect them. These segments proved highly popular with listeners and also provided an opportunity to highlight elements of the measure that might not have merited an entire radio piece. The third story is actually Part 3 of a series on how provisions of the law are aimed at improving the provision of primary care medicine. This piece looks at the role of mid-level health. Parts 1 and 2 of the series examined "medical homes" and solo practitioners. The final story was one of several examining the backlash against the law. This one pointed out that while Republicans were running on a platform urging repeal, many of their usual allies in the business community weren't necessarily on board.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public
Documents used include legislative testimony and bills easily available on the Internet. No Freedom of Information or public records acts requested.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
As a reporter with more than 25 years covering health legislation on Capitol Hill, Rovner has one of the most extensive rolodexes in the business. She used mostly first person interviews with members of Congress, their current and former aides, lobbyists and other members of stakeholder groups, academics as well as "real people" impacted by changes to the nation's health care system.
6. Results (if any).
The story on Republicans' originating the individual mandate, in particular, went viral in the blogosphere and made a significant impact on the health debate at a critical moment.
7. 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.
There was no correction.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
N/a.