June 1, 2023Screenshot / Spotlight PASecret meetings by board overseeing Pa.’s $1 billion in opioid settlements draw criticismby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Kate Giammarise of WESAThe oversight board also does not let the public speak at meetings and says it’s not subject to the state’s Right-to-Know Law.
May 18, 2023Shane Dunlap / TribLIVE for Spotlight PAPa. opioid settlement money: What you need to knowby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Kate Giammarise of WESAIn Pennsylvania, there’s currently no single resource for people to see how counties and local governments plan to spend the money. But understanding the process can help you influence it.
May 8, 2023Alejandro A. Alvarez / Philadelphia InquirerThree ways Shapiro’s budget would change public health in Pennsylvaniaby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAShapiro's budget proposals include boosting money for public health agencies, programs to prevent maternal mortality, and taxing recreational marijuana sales.
April 20, 2023Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAAn older Pa. woman was placed under guardianship. Her family says the system betrayed her.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAAn ongoing lawsuit spotlights Pennsylvania’s vexing system for safeguarding vulnerable older adults from potential fraud and other conflicts when they are declared legally incapacitated.
April 18, 2023AMANDA BERG / FOR SPOTLIGHT PAExpecting more than $1 billion in opioid settlement money, Pa. grapples with policing versus treatmentby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Kate Giammarise of WESAGov. Josh Shapiro has touted the money as “specifically earmarked for treatment,” but some counties want to hire more police officers and bolster drug task forces.
April 14, 2023Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAPa. Medicaid reenrollment: What you need to know to keep your health insurance or find other optionsby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAAfter three years of guaranteed Medicaid coverage, Pennsylvanians in the program have to reenroll in the next year or risk losing their insurance. Here’s what you should know.
April 3, 2023Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesHow much north-central Pennsylvania nonprofit hospital executives are paidby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeTo get a broader picture of executive pay at nonprofit hospitals in north-central PA, Spotlight PA compiled a list of salaries and bonuses from facilities in the region.
April 3, 2023JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerPa. faces a shortage of benefits workers as health coverage for thousands is on the lineby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe offices that help Pennsylvanians keep their Medicaid benefits are facing persistent vacancies and a heavy workload. Advocates and staff fear people could lose coverage as a result.
March 13, 2023Harold Brubaker / Philadelphia InquirerA Pa. hospital’s revoked property tax exemption is a ‘warning shot’ to other nonprofits, expert saysby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeA Commonwealth Court judge found the nonprofit Tower Health system was operating a Montgomery County hospital with the motive of profit.
Feb. 24, 2023Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia InquirerShapiro admin can do more as rollbacks to food and health benefits loom in Pa., experts sayby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAMillions of Pennsylvanians will soon get less money to buy food, and hundreds of thousands could lose their government health insurance.
Feb. 13, 2023ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Philadelphia Inquirer5 ways Pa.’s marijuana laws could change in 2023by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe Pennsylvania legislature is considering everything from expanding who can get medical marijuana to full legalization. Here’s what you need to know.
Jan. 31, 2023Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAHow anxiety came to dominate the big business of medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvaniaby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAAn unprecedented Spotlight PA analysis of 1 million medical marijuana certifications reveals how a change by policymakers made it possible for virtually anyone to get a card.
Nov. 10, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PARare disciplinary case against Pa. doctor offers glimpse into the big business of medical marijuana cardsby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA patient’s complaint about her virtual appointment through Veriheal has offered a look inside the multimillion dollar certification industry.
Oct. 13, 2022Leise Hook/For Spotlight PAAbortion providers focus on expanding telehealth, medication access as they await outcome of Pa. governor’s raceby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAIn response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, Pennsylvania abortion providers are retooling their services to offer medication abortions and telehealth.
Oct. 7, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAHow we tracked workplace lawsuits involving Pa.’s medical marijuana lawby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA behind-the-scenes look at how Spotlight PA found Pennsylvania workers who were fired or demoted over medical marijuana.
Oct. 3, 2022CAMERON B. POLLACK / Philadelphia Inquirer PhotoChronically ill patients could get easier access to new treatments if Pa. lawmakers act soonby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PASupporters say the bill will allow medical providers to spend more time on care rather than fighting with insurance companies, but time is running out to pass it before the session ends.
Sept. 20, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAA complete guide to Spotlight PA’s investigations of Pennsylvania’s flawed medical marijuana programby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe yearlong reporting project has revealed major flaws and inequity in the system, prompting positive change and more calls for reform, but will the state legislature take action?
Sept. 14, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAPa. law protects workers who are approved for medical marijuana — but once they use it, it’s a different story.by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAFired workers and frustrated employers are facing off in court battles over Pennsylvania’s vague safeguards for marijuana patients, and those on both sides are asking for a legislative fix.
Sept. 1, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesThousands of Pa. nursing home workers may strike despite $600M for care in state budgetby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWorkers for two for-profit companies fear the bulk of the money won’t be used to alleviate longer working hours, expanded job responsibilities, and even food rationing for residents.
Aug. 25, 2022JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerMajor shift in medical malpractice rules in Pa. could help victims, but opponents fear the costby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe state’s high court will allow such cases to be filed in any county in the state, as opposed to the county where harm occurred, potentially leading to more claims and higher payouts.
Aug. 25, 2022Elizabeth Robertson / Philadelphia InquirerWolf administration explores using federal aid to help stretch Pa.’s limited monkeypox vaccine supplyby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe federal government has given providers the OK to get five shots out of a one-dose vaccine vial. The state may purchase syringes to make those shots possible.
Aug. 23, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerWhy people in State College and rural north-central Pa. don’t have easy access to in-person abortion servicesby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeCostly regulations and smaller populations relative to urban areas have prevented any providers from opening since one in State College closed after a series of scandals.
Aug. 22, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesCommonwealth Court orders Pa.’s health department to release information on medical marijuana programby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAFor more than a year, the Department of Health has fought to block Spotlight PA’s request for information about the state’s medical marijuana program. Judges rejected the agency’s arguments calling one claim “undeveloped.”
July 28, 2022ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia InquirerWolf sues GOP-led legislature to block abortion, voter ID questions from reaching Pa. ballot boxby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe Democratic governor is claiming legislative Republicans unconstitutionally lumped together five pieces of their “failed” agenda into a package of proposed amendments.
July 15, 2022Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAPa. court system says it’s not responsible for county judges banning opioid addiction medicationby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA federal lawsuit alleges the Pennsylvania court system discriminated against people with opioid use disorder, raising questions about who is responsible for decisions made by local judges.
July 8, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania legislature seeks to declare state constitution provides no right to an abortionby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PALegislative Republicans advanced five significant constitutional amendments, including stricter voter ID and enhanced powers for the General Assembly.
July 6, 2022Photo ProvidedMeet Ashad Hajela, rural affairs reporter for Spotlight PA State Collegeby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeA recent graduate of Columbia Journalism School, Ashad Hajela is covering rural issues — from utilities to agriculture — thanks to Spotlight PA’s first-ever partnership with Report for America.
June 28, 2022Jelani Splawn / For Spotlight PAPa. waited more than 2 years to test wells after finding nearby contamination. Now this neighborhood wants answers.by Adam Smeltz for Spotlight PA State CollegeAffected homeowners in Benner Township, Centre County, want to know when and how PFAS chemicals got into their water. State officials defend the delay, pointing to “sound scientific practices.”
June 24, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerWolf pushes $91 million for nursing homes to offset costs of proposed new staffing regulations, but industry says it’s not enoughby Jaxon White of Spotlight PAThe governor and GOP lawmakers have signaled interest in providing more help to the nursing home industry, which is plagued by low wages, staffing shortages, and big demand.
June 13, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesUnregulated hemp derivative delta-8 thrives in Pa.’s thorny marijuana landscapeby Christina Baker for Spotlight PADespite its hazy legal status, delta-8 is not subject to any regulations or mandatory testing in Pennsylvania, and its packaging isn’t required to note potential side effects.
