N.C. hospitals make big money while suing
vulnerable patients for rising costs of care

In 2009, as the debate about health care reform picked up steam in Washington, D.C., an editor at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., posed a question: Should the newspaper take a deep look at the cost of health care?

A series of interviews and some database work led to a memo directing the coverage to concentrate on hospitals and a key decision: Ask colleagues at The Charlotte Observer to join. North Carolina's two biggest hospital systems were based in Charlotte and one was suing thousands of its patients each year for payment.

Here, investigative reporters Joe Neff and Ames Alexander, both from The News & Observer, and Karen Garloch, The Charlotte Observer’s medical writer, share how they reported the five-day series, the most useful sources and their reporting strategies.

Elections for AHCJ's board of directors coming up

We have begun posting statements from this year's candidates for the board. Six of the 12 director positions come up for election each year for two-year terms. See who is running.

Board members take on committee duties and contribute to association activities, including fundraising, advocacy, helping plan sessions at training events, membership outreach and the newsletter. They may be asked to play a role in other association projects, such as writing, editing or fact-checking resource guides or online teaching modules. Read more about the responsibilities, rights, restrictions and rewards of serving on AHCJ's board.

To run for the board, you need to declare your candidacy by noon (Central time) on July 13. Read more about how to run.

Apply for AHCJ-NLM fellowship

If you are selected for the AHCJ-National Library of Medicine Fellowship, you’ll spend a week learning how to make best use of medical research, statistics and data. Apply today for the opportunity to:

• Learn how to explore the latest NIH research
• Learn to understand and interpret biomedical statistics
• Take advantage of NLM's data, programs and resources for stronger stories
• Get hands-on training in PubMed, MedlinePlus, ClinicalTrials.gov, ToxNet and Household Products Database

Enhance your medical and scientific reporting through this specialized fellowship. Fellowship includes travel expenses, lodging and stipend. The dates of the fellowship are Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Application deadline: Aug. 6.

Photo by functoruser via Flickr

Archived webinar helps localize Supreme Court decision

AHCJ hosted a one-hour online roundtable of experts to offer suggestions on stories that local and regional reporters can pursue now and in the weeks ahead. The webinar and related resources and stories are available.

Blog posts, tip sheets and links to other resources are available for AHCJ members to cover this milestone decision. For many more valuable tips and resources, visit our health reform topic page, compiled by health reform topic leader Joanne Kenen.

AHCJ's Covering Health blog

"Covering Health" features news about health journalists and the business, well-reported stories, tools and resources to help journalists and much more. The blog is updated during the week, with more frequent updates when there is breaking news. Now, more than ever, AHCJ is committed to helping keep journalists who report on health and health care issues informed about the latest news in the field and connected with colleagues.

 Back up ‘trend’ stories with evidence and details
 New jobs, awards and more: Get the latest news about AHCJ members
 U. Iowa hospitals share patient data with fundraising organization

Contact us
Visit healthjournalism.org, call us at 573-884-5606 or e-mail us at info@healthjournalism.org.