KFF designs, conducts and analyzes original public opinion and survey research on Americans’ attitudes, knowledge, and experiences with the health care system to help amplify the public’s voice in major national debates.
In the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the federal government made it harder for individuals to qualify for Medicaid nursing home benefits by increasing penalties on individuals who have transferred assets for less than fair market value during the past five years and by making individuals with home equity above $500,000 ineligible for nursing home benefits. The legislation also lifts the moratorium on the number of states that may operate Long-Term Care (LTC) Partnership Programs, which allow individuals who purchase long-term care insurance to protect more of their assets if they later need nursing home care under Medicaid.
Some have suggested that purchasing private long-term care insurance to cover nursing home care would alleviate reliance on Medicaid. This snapshot examines the experience with private long-term care insurance and the LTC Partnership Programs. Findings include:
• Private long-term care insurance comprises a small share of nursing home spending,
• The price of a long-term care policy is not affordable for most elderly people,
• Private long-term care insurance is not available to people who already have long-term care needs, and
• LTC Partnerships have been operating in 4 states since the early 1990s, but enrollment remains limited. The programs appear to attract upper middle-class individuals, similar to the private long-term care insurance market.
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Laura Beil, freelance journalist, Dallas, TXProject: Abstinence education – the impact, philosophy, curricula and funding”Abstinence education faces an uncertain future” (New York Times, 7/18/07)
June Cross, independent documentary film producer, New York City, NYProject: Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the healthcare safety net across the country
Eric Eyre, reporter, The Charleston (West VA) Gazette, Charleston, WVProject: West Virginia’s dental health problems and potential policy solutionsClick here to see Eric’s four-part series on dental health in W. Virginia
Howard Gleckman, senior correspondent, Business Week, Washington, D.C.Project: Financing long-term care
Paul Jacobs, project team reporter, The San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, CAProject: The effect of the new World Trade Organization pharmaceutical patenting requirements on health in the developing world, and its potential impact on the U.S.
Seema Mathur, medical reporter, CBS 42 KEYE-TV, Austin, TXProject: Overcrowding in the ER and its impact on healthcareClick here to see Seema’s ReportSeema won a number of awards for her series, ER: In Critical Condition, including:
National Edward R. Murrow: News Series Lone Star Emmy: Health/Science – News Series Anson Jones, MD Award Honoring Excellence in Health CommunicationAssociation of Health Care Journalists: 2006: Excellence in Health Care JournalismAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: 2006: Journalism of Excellence AwardSouth Asian Journalism Association: Outstanding Story on Any Subject: Specialists
International Health Journalism Fellowship Project: RUSSIA/UKRAINE
About the Project
The Kaiser Family Foundation and Transatlantic Partners Against AIDSjoined to create the International Health Journalism Fellowship Project: Russia/Ukraine. The goal of the Media Fellowships Project was to encourage substantive coverage of the health, social, economic, political and cultural implications of HIV/AIDS and associated health problems, as well as policies and programs to address HIV/AIDS in Russia and Ukraine.
The program selected journalists to undertake individual projects that focused on Russia or Ukraine. These were all
projects unlikely to be undertaken or completed without a grant
projects that focused on issues currently under-reported or not reported at all
projects that had a high likelihood of being published/broadcast
projects accessible to a relatively large audience
Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA) is an independent, non-governmental organization that leverages the political, civic, scientific, and economic resources of North American, European, and Eurasian partners to combat the rapid and devastating spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia, Ukraine and neighboring countries.
For more information regarding the International Health Journalism Fellowship Project in Russia/Ukraine please email mediafellows@kff.org.
Starting in 2007, the interns were asked to select one story from the many they produced during their internship to exhibit on our site along with a brief background on their experience reporting the story. Follow the links in the intern listing to read both the stories and background.
2006 Kaiser Media Interns in HealthToni De Aztlan –The Sun-Sentinel, Fort LauderdaleStephanie Beasley – The Baltimore SunErika Beras –The Plain Dealer, ClevelandSheena Bodie– KXAS/5-TV, Dallas-Fort WorthSophia Chang– NewsdaySachi Fujimori – The Charlotte Observer Tomio Geron –The Sacramento BeeJeffrey Ghassemi –The Washington PostPamela Harris– KTVU/2-TV, San Francisco-OaklandKendra Marr– The San Jose Mercury NewsDani McClain –The Milwaukee Journal SentinelNaila Fin Moreira – The Boston GlobeNneka Nwosu– BET News Ashima Singal –The Orlando Sentinel/El SentinelLubna Takruri –The Detroit Free Press*My-Thuan Tran –The Oregonian
*In 2006, The Detroit Free Press sponsored their own Kaiser intern.2005 Kaiser Media InternsDurrell Dawson –KXAS/5-TV, Dallas-Fort WorthMichelle Keller – The Orlando Sentinel/El Sentinel Kai Ma – NewsdayAyesha McAdams-Mahmoud –The OregonianKevin McCullough –The Los Angeles TimesMariana Minaya –The Baltimore Sun Melissa Navas –The San Jose Mercury NewsMadison Park –The Plain Dealer, ClevelandDinesh Ramde –The Milwaukee Journal SentinelMarisa Rodriguez –KTVU/2-TV, San Francisco-Oakland Robert Samuels –The Detroit Free PressNaseem Sowti –The Washington PostKadesha Thomas –The Boston Globe Chris Young –The Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale2004 Kaiser Media InternsDaffodil Altan –The Los Angeles TimesChristin Ayers –KTVU/2-TV, San Francisco-OaklandYvette Bueno –The Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale Lorinda Bullock –The Detroit Free PressDante Higgins –KXAS/5-TV, Dallas-Fort Worth Kylene Kiang –The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Jessica Lee –The Boston GlobeJanuary PayneThe Washington Post Czerne M. Reid – The Milwaukee Journal SentinelSophia Tareen – The OregonianVeronica Torrejon – The San Jose Mercury NewsElvira Viveros –The Atlanta Journal-Constitution2003 Kaiser Media InternsLauren Acu
Raney Aronson, producer, FRONTLINE/WGBH, New York CityProject: Alternative medicine.”The Alternative Fix,” FRONTLINE
Bob Davis, medical and science writer, USA TodayProject: Variations in the nation’s emergency medical systems and their impacts on survival rates.”Six Minutes to Live or Die,” USA Today series on the EMS crisis
Don Finley, science, medicine, and environment editor, The San Antonio Express-NewsProject: Obesity in the U.S.”The Supersize Crisis: Obesity in America,” The San Antonio Express-News (12/8/2002 – 12/15/2002)
Merrill Goozner, freelance journalist and associate professor of journalism, New York UniversityProject: The sources and costs of pharmaceutical innovation.”Medicine as a Luxury,” The American Prospect, (Vol. 13, Issue 1, 1/1/2001 – 1/14/2001)
Andrew Julien, health/medical writer, The Hartford CourantProject: The influence of social and economic forces on children’s health.”GenStress: A Landscape of Pain,” The Cartford Courant (12/15/2002 – 12/18/2002)
Andy Miller, health care business reporter, The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionProject: Indoor air quality and its effects on health in the home and workplace.”Sick Buildings: A Special Report,” The Atlanta Journal Constitution (7/20/2003)
Mason L. Essif, segment producer, Health Week-PBS, Washington, DCProject: The e-revolution in health care–how the Internet is affecting access and quality of health information, communication between providers and patients, and medical commerce.
Sarah Lunday, health care industry reporter, The Fort Worth Star-TelegramProject: The impact of prescription drugs on the health care industry–financial, ethical, medical and political.
Teresa L. Schraeder, M.D., freelance medical journalist and physician, Boston, MAProject: Television reporting of health and medical news–a critical look at the content and accuracy of medical news coverage, and its impact on medical decision-making.
Stephen Smith, managing editor & correspondent, American RadioWorks, Minnesota Public RadioProject: The apparent epidemic of depressive illness in the U.S. and worldwide–possible causes, emerging treatments and the varying social responses to mental illness.
Karl Stark, health care business reporter, The Philadelphia InquirerProject: The quality of medical care–what data can really help doctors provide high quality treatment, and help patients find good care?
Fred de Sam Lazaro, correspondent, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; executive producer; KTCA-Twin Cities Public Television, St. Paul, MNProject: The role of international medical graduates in providing health care in under-served urban centers and rural areas in the U.S.
Linda Wright Moore, editorial writer, The Philadelphia Daily NewsProject: Disparities in health status and access to medical care between black and white Americans.
Charles Ornstein, health business reporter, The Dallas Morning NewsProject: The evolving role of employers in the health care system-what role should they play in providing benefits for employees, retirees and their families?
Joe Palca, correspondent, science desk, National Public RadioProject: How clinical trials work-the ethical, medical, financial and societal issues involved.
Neil Rosenberg, senior medical reporter, The Milwaukee Journal SentinelProject: Differences in health care treatment due to race, gender and age
Brenda Wilson, correspondent and editor for public health, health policy and medicine, National Public RadioProject: AIDS and HIV prevention efforts in South Africa-attitudes toward sexuality, Western medicine, death and disease-and the implications for the U.S.
Douglas E. Beeman, health care reporter, The Press-Enterprise, Riverside, CAProject: Assessing the health of California’s evolving health care safety net and its implications for the nation.
Kathleen Day, business reporter, The Washington PostProject: The marketing of prescription drugs and the economics of drug pricing.
Andrew Holtz, independent television health and medical reporter, Portland, ORProject: How the news media and public health education campaigns affect health behaviors, specifically tobacco use.
Madge Kaplan, Health Desk Editor/Boston Bureau Chief, Marketplace Radio/WGBHProject: Investigating changes in the health care workforce and their impact on health care delivery and patient care.
Josephine Marcotty, health/science Editor, The Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN Project: The transformation in the treatment and understanding of mental illness.
Joan Mazzolini, investigative reporter, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH Project: VA health care–how well are veterans’ medical centers serving those who served us?
1997 Kaiser Media FellowsDebra Gordon, medical writer, The Virginian-PilotProject: Community coalitions; tracking grass root efforts to address child and maternal health problems.
Jon Hamilton, freelance health policy writerProject: An in-depth look at states that have implemented experimental Medicaid managed care programs.
Leslie Laurence, syndicated health columnist, and writer, Glamour magazineProject: The impact of urban hospital closings on local communities.
Christopher Ringwald, demographics and mental health reporter, The Times Union (Albany, NY)Project: The challenges and debate facing alcoholism and addiction treatment programs; what works, why, and how to measure results.
Joanne Silberner, health policy correspondent, National Public RadioProject: How public health research becomes health policy; from academia to the streets.
Tammie Smith, health reporter, The TennesseanProject: How the major black medical colleges in the U.S. are faring in a changing health care environment; focused on Howard, Meharry, Morehouse, and Drew.
1996 Kaiser Media FellowsLisa Aliferis, producer, KPIX-TV (San Francisco)Project: Death and dying; focus includes hospice care, physician assisted suicide, and differences in cultural perspectives.
Susan FitzGerald, medical writer, The Philadelphia InquirerProject: Children’s health issues: growing up in the inner city.
Samuel Orozco, news/satellite director, Radio BilingueProject: Mental health issues facing Latino immigrants in the U.S.
Eugene Richards, photo-journalist and authorProject: The consequences of child abuse.
Joseph P. Shapiro, senior editor, U.S. News & World ReportProject: Long-term care; creating a system of care that is safe, appropriate, affordable and maximizes independence.
Mark Taylor, health reporter, Post-Tribune (Gary, Indiana)Project: Impact of state and federal legislation on healthcare for disadvantaged populations.
1995 Kaiser Media FellowsChris Adams, reporter, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)Project: The impact of the for-profit hospital chains in the changing medical marketplace.
Leon Dash, reporter, The Washington PostProject: Six generations of underclass life in a family.
Jonathan Freedman, author, columnist; freelance contributor, Los Angeles Times Commentary PageProjects: Comprehensive child-development programs; a television documentary profiling families who overcome poverty; prostate cancer; a book empowering men to confront treatment dilemmas and make healthy choices.
Judith Graham, business writer, The Denver PostProject: The restructuring of the health care industry.
Lani Luciano, staff writer, Money magazineProject: Medical quality measures; how real, how useful, how welcome?
Patricia Neighmond, health policy correspondent, National Public RadioProject: Managed care; its implications for patients and their doctors; and the economics of health care.
1994 Kaiser Media FellowsJeanne Blake, Documentary producer and authorProject: Sexuality and the threat of HIV to young people.
Janet Firshein, Editor, Medicine & HealthProject: Training more primary care doctors; the challenge facing the nation’s medical schools and academic health centers.
Carol Gentry, medical writer, St. Petersburg TimesProject: Managed care and HMOs; the impact on the care doctors provide and patients receive.
Angela Mitchell, freelance writer and authorProject: African-Americans and the AIDS epidemic.
Rita Rubin, associate editor, U.S. News & World ReportProject: An examination of the appropriateness of care given to women.
Steven Sternberg, freelance health policy writerProject: The implications; medical, legal, and societal; of emerging infectious diseases.
1993 Kaiser Media FellowsLisa Belkin, healthcare reporter, The New York TimesProject: Family practice in inner-cities; examining innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining family doctors in U.S. inner-cities.
Mary Flannery, health and medical reporter, The Philadelphia Daily NewsProject: The provision of day treatment programs for adults with mental illness; primarily focused on the clubhouse model at Fountain House in New York, and it effectiveness as a treatment option in other U.S. cities.
Julie Kosterlitz, staff correspondent, The National JournalProject: The Clinton health reform plan; an in-depth analysis of the issues, the legislation, the political process, the results.
Linda Roach Monroe, health and medicine reporter, The Miami HeraldProject: Cultural barriers to medical care in the U.S., and the implications for medical providers and others (including the media), starting with Hispanic communities.
Rebecca Perl, former health and science reporter, Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionProject: Smoking and health; advertising, marketing and lobbying activities of the U.S. tobacco industry, nationally and internationally, and their impact and future implications for specific populations and target groups.
Stuart Schear, health and science reporter, The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHourProject: issues in health reform beyond the legislative process; the implications of moving toward managed care and competition for patients, practioners, administrators, and providers.
Jonathan Cohn, senior editor, The New RepublicProject: The transformation of American health care in the 1990s. Read about Jonathan’s book, Sick, (HarperCollins, 2007) “Sexual Healing,” The New Republic (6/30/2003) “Beans for Life,” The New Republic (9/8/2003) “Uncharitable?” New York Times (12/19/2004)
Barry Meier, authorProject: Prescription drug abuse, pain management, and addiction-OxyContin as a case study in regulating the next generation of powerful painkillers.Interview with Barry Meier, author of Pain Killer (10/30/2003)
Jon Palfreman, senior producer, FRONTLINEProject: The development, marketing, and pricing of prescription drugs. “The Other Drug War,” FRONTLINE (6/19/2003)
John Price Sankofa, reporter, The New York Amsterdam NewsProject: Examining the social, cultural, and psychological roots of African-American health disparities.
Marc Shaffer, independent television producerProject: Implementing California’s Proposition 36 – treatment as an alternative to incarceration for drug addiction.
Robin D. Stone, freelance writer and editor, New York CityProject: The impact of sexual abuse, focused on African-American families. “No Secrets, No Lies“
Rebecca Adams, health care reporter, Congressional QuarterlyProject: Examining Medicaid challenges and policy responses in different states.”Medicaid Reform: Will efforts to cut costs hurt the poor?” The CQ Researcher, Vol. 14, No. 25, Pgs. 589-612 (7/16/2004)
Michael Isip, executive producer, KQED-TV, San FranciscoProject: Barriers to health care — financial, cultural, systemic — and the implications for patients and health care workers, and innovative efforts to deliver care.
Liza Mundy, staff writer, The Washington PostProject: Reproductive technology, and the ethical dilemmas that new, fast-emerging techniques present to doctors, policymakers, and the many patients availing themselves of advances in fertility medicine.
Deborah L. Shelton, medical and public health reporter, St. Louis Post-DispatchProject: The drive to increase the number of live organ donors: the medical, ethical, social, economic and other implications.
