Association of Health Care Journalists

09/03/2026

The largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s history begin taking effect Jan. 1 — with potentially profound consequences for rural health care.

On Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. ET, Part 3 of AHCJ’s Rural Health 2026 webinar series will examine how the roughly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts, new federal work requirements and changes to state financing could affect rural hospitals, providers and the patients they serve.

Register here: https://healthjournalism.org/training-events/workshops-summits/rural-health-webinar-series-2026/ -3

09/03/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Farah Yousry as AHCJ’s first-ever journalist-in-residence. We’re excited for all she’ll bring to our community and can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
Welcome, Farah! 👋

09/02/2026

Rural health data can reveal important stories — but only if you know how to find it, interpret it and understand its limitations.

In Part 2 of AHCJ’s Rural Health 2026 webinar series, Michael Meit of East Tennessee State University takes a closer look at the challenges of collecting and using rural data, including geographic limitations and barriers to accessing data. He also points reporters toward useful data sources and offers tips for covering rural health data responsibly.

Watch the recording: https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2026/09/rural-health-2026-part-2/

09/01/2026

When government agencies won’t answer your questions, the reporting doesn’t stop.

Join AHCJ and the Freedom of the Press Foundation today at 2 p.m. ET for a practical conversation about how experienced health reporters have worked around stonewalling from federal health agencies — and what journalists can do when access to information is increasingly difficult.

Register: https://healthjournalism.org/event/federal-health-agencies-wont-talk-to-the-press-what-now/

08/31/2026

Don't miss our webinar tomorrow, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. ET with the Freedom of the Press Foundation!

In this webinar, reporters and a press freedom expert will describe their experiences being stonewalled by federal agencies and what to do.

08/29/2026

What do you do when federal health agencies stop talking to the press?

For health journalists, getting answers from HHS, CMS and other government agencies is essential — but reporters increasingly face silence, canned responses and “no comment.”

Join AHCJ and the Freedom of the Press Foundation for “Federal health agencies won’t talk to the press. What now?” at 2 p.m. on Sept. 1. Experienced health reporters will share how they’ve navigated government stonewalling and still produced strong reporting. A press freedom expert will also discuss broader trends and resources available to journalists.

🗓️ Sept. 1 | 2-3 p.m. ET

Register:

In this webinar, reporters and a press freedom expert will describe their experiences being stonewalled by federal agencies and what to do.

08/28/2026

💉 Peptides: Miracle treatment, wellness hype or something in between? If you missed today's webinar on peptides, it's not too late to find out! The recording is now available. Trust us, this is one you won't want to miss:

In this webinar, medical experts tell you need-to-know facts about peptides, what the media often gets wrong and more.

08/28/2026

Good rural health reporting starts with good data. 📊

Join us at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 2 for Part Two of our 2026 Rural Health Webinar Series, featuring a discussion with Michael Meit, director of ETSU's Center for Rural Health and Research.

You'll learn where to find useful rural health data, how to interpret it and what pitfalls journalists should watch for when reporting on rural populations. Register here:

This webinar will focus on the current landscape of rural areas as it relates to health, healthcare and public health.

08/28/2026

Have you used FOIA in your reporting? You could win the $25,000 Penlight Prize from the Freedom of the Press Foundation. Applications are due by next Tuesday, Sept. 1 — so don't wait! Submitted articles must be available free of charge, with no paywall. Learn more and apply:

The Penlight Prize honors exemplary paywall-free public records reporting, from Freedom of the Press Foundation

08/27/2026

🚨 Webinar tomorrow 🗓️ Aug. 28 at 🕚️ 11 a.m. ET

What even are peptides, and how much of the hype holds up?

Join us tomorrow morning for the answer to that and more from medical experts Dhruv Khullar and Rachel Frank. We'll cover what you need to know, common mistakes reporters make and the stories that still need to be told. Register:

In this webinar, medical experts will tell you need-to-know facts about peptides, what the media often gets wrong and more.