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Kathleen O'Brien's blog posts

What I learned reporting on N.J.’s Medicaid enrollment woes
posted 04/28/2015

Reporter Kathleen O'Brien of the New Jersey Star-Ledger stayed flexible in her reporting and ultimately uncovered system-wide computer problems that were only affecting New Jersey's poor. Here she shares the lessons she learned while working on the project.

How's *that* going to work out?
posted 07/07/2014

New Jersey’s governor, Chris Christie, has walked a fine line in his decisions about the Affordable Care Act: He accepted Washington’s offer to expand Medicaid, yet declined to set up a state exchange. (And even turned his back on a $7 million grant to help residents learn about their options on hea

Kathleen O'Brien's Blog
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What I learned reporting on N.J.’s Medicaid enrollment woes
Reporter Kathleen O'Brien of the New Jersey Star-Ledger stayed flexible in her reporting and... more »
posted 04/28/15
How's *that* going to work out?
New Jersey’s governor, Chris Christie, has walked a fine line in his decisions about the... more »
posted 07/07/14

Kathleen O'Brien's Work
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Project: Subsidized health centers welcome surge of Medicaid patients

New Jersey was one of 28 states that opted to accept federal money to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. That expansion has added almost 400,000 people to the public health insurance program - without necessarily adding more doctors to see them.

Project: Before Medicaid, how did doctors treat the poor?

In the era before modern surgery and antibiotics, care for all but the very elite was provided by unschooled healers such as midwives, "bone-setters," and apothecaries. Their fees were low, and many would barter their services for crops or food.

Project: How to find a doctor who takes Medicaid

New Jerseyans covered by Medicaid report it's sometimes difficult to find doctors — particularly specialists — who will accept its insurance plans. Here are some tips, gathered from doctors, physician practice administrators and other patients.