Health journalists often know and write a lot about health insurance, including how changes in the industry affect people in “real life.” But freelance journalists can still be at a loss when it comes to understanding how different plans, policy decisions and personal situations influence their own coverage — and what to do about it. That’s particularly true going into 2027, given changes in Affordable Care Act subsidies, federal marketplace rules and more.
In this webinar, health insurance experts Louise Norris of healthinsurance.org and Jonathan Gray of the Freelancers Union will discuss what independent journalists should know this open enrollment season, including what’s different, what options exist and how to assess which plan is best for them and their families. As always, the discussion will be followed by a Q&A.
November 10 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST
Anna Medaris
AHCJ Freelance Beat Leader
Anna Medaris is a freelance health and lifestyle journalist with 15 years of experience writing features, narratives, explainers, and news hits for publications including the Washington Post, Women’s Health, Vox, Cosmopolitan, US New & World Report, Everyday Health, AARP, Monitor on Psychology, among others. She left her last full-time role as health correspondent for Business Insider to go freelance full time in June 2023. Anna is passionate about, and skilled in, telling sensitive human-interest stories, critiquing quirky cultural trends, and answering questions you didn’t know you had. She’s appeared on the “TODAY Show,” “Good Morning America,” Hulu’s “Age of Influence,” and many podcasts and local TV and radio stations. Anna also serves as AHCJ’s New York City chapter lead and as a writing coach through the New York Writing Room. She graduated with high honors from the University of Michigan in 2009 and later earned her master’s in interactive journalism from American University. She’s an avid swimmer who lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their basset rescue, Lou Longbody.
Jonathan K. Gray
Director of member benefits, Freelancers Union
Jonathan K. Gray is a seasoned benefits leader with more than a decade of experience in insurance, benefits administration and member services. As director of member benefits at Freelancers Union, he oversees strategic benefits programs serving members nationwide, managing health, dental, vision, life and disability plans while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Jonathan has built a career at the intersection of policy, insurance and member advocacy.
A proud graduate of York College, City University of New York, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, Jonathan credits his alma mater with shaping his commitment to public service, leadership and community impact. He is licensed in life, health, and property & casualty insurance and is passionate about expanding access to quality benefits for working families and independent professionals.
Louise Norris
Health policy analyst, healthinsurance.org
Louise Norris is a health policy analyst for healthinsurance.org with more than 20 years of experience in health insurance and health care reform. Norris has authored hundreds of articles and educational resources on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), health insurance marketplaces, Medicare and state and federal health policy. She is the author of healthinsurance.org’s annual ACA open enrollment guide and its guide to special enrollment periods. Her expertise has been featured in national media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and NPR. Norris has also participated in health policy discussions hosted by the Brookings Institution and public radio station WNYC.