Provide names of other journalists involved.
Christopher Conover, Andrea Kelly
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
30-Sep-11
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Arizona’s Medicaid program, Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System, (known as AHCCCS, and pronounced “access”), was cut by about half a billion dollars this fiscal year. In this special news show, we sought to show our listeners what those cuts mean for people who need health care, and people who provide such care and treatment.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
State budget documents, hospital budgets for a number rural facilities, proposals from hospitals to try and offset the changes in funding
Explain types of human sources used.
The two reporters spent weeks tracking down people affected by the change and who were willing to tell their stories. A number of patients approached about the story cancelled at the last minute due to illness or an unwillingness to talk.
Results:
Community awareness was raised.
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 corrections were needed though reporting on the continued fall out from the cuts is on-going.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
State officials are fine, but it is stories of real people which make the issue compelling.