Charles Ornstein
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Charles Ornstein is a senior reporter for ProPublica covering health care and the pharmaceutical industry.
In collaboration with Tracy Weber, Ornstein was a lead reporter on a series of articles in the Los Angeles Times titled "The Troubles at King/Drew" hospital that won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the Sigma Delta Chi Award for public service in 2005. His ProPublica series, with Tracy Weber, "When Caregivers Harm: California's Unwatched Nurses" was a finalist for a 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Ornstein reported for the Times starting in 2001, in the last five years largely in partnership with Weber. Earlier, Ornstein spent five years as a reporter for the Dallas Morning News. He is a past president of the Association of Health Care Journalists and a former Kaiser Family Foundation media fellow.
Articles
The Medicaid Threat That Isn’t Getting Much Attention
Today, 1 p.m.
As Republicans in Congress work to roll back the Affordable Care Act, they and some states are proposing major changes to the Medicaid program. Researchers say these changes would cost millions their health coverage.Medicare Halts Release of Much-Anticipated Data
June 29, 1:08 p.m.
The government had planned to share data with researchers on patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage health plans. Then, suddenly, it didn’t.Nursing Home Workers Still Posting Nude and Vulgar Photos of Residents on Snapchat
June 23, 8 a.m.
Federal and state officials have increased their focus on the problem, but ProPublica found 18 incidents in the last year in which employees at nursing homes and assisted living facilities posted unauthorized photos and videos of residents on social media platforms.Inappropriate Social Media Posts by Nursing Home Workers, Detailed
June 23, 7:59 a.m.
Here are details of 65 incidents since 2012 in which workers at nursing homes and assisted-living centers shared photos or videos of residents on social media networks. The details come from government inspection reports, court cases and media reports.Veterans Affairs Official Downplays Agent Orange Risks, Questions Critics
June 12, 8 a.m.
At a meeting in March, a lead analyst in the VA’s compensation service was critical of the media, scientists and the VA’s own administrative tribunal for taking positions that differ from his. The VA said his comments “did not fully or accurately reflect VA's position” but also said his quotes wereTrump’s Not the Only One Blocking Constituents on Twitter
June 7, 12:59 p.m.
As elected officials increasingly turn to social media to communicate with constituents, some are blocking those who disagree with them. Some say it violates the First Amendment. Legislators say it’s about promoting a “healthy, civil dialogue.” Expect court battles ahead.A Drug Quintupled in Price. Now, Drug Industry Players Are Feuding Over the Windfall.
May 31, 5:59 p.m.
Amid public concern over spiking drug prices, a powerful middleman is suing a tiny drugmaker over unpaid rebates and fees. The maker calls the suit baseless; analysts say the suit offers a window into an opaque world.Three Strategies to Defend GOP Health Bill: Euphemisms, False Statements and Deleted Comments
May 25, 11 a.m.
Since the passage of the American Health Care Act, Republican members of Congress have tried to swing public opinion to their side. ProPublica has been tracking what they’re saying.With Drug Reps Kept At Bay, Doctors Prescribe More Judiciously
May 2, 11 a.m.
A new study shows that doctors prescribed fewer marketed brand-name drugs when teaching hospitals restricted access to pharmaceutical sales representatives.New Jersey Seeks to Sanction Psychologist for Disclosing Patients’ Diagnoses in Court Filings
April 19, Noon
Lawsuits filed on behalf of a psychologist and his practice had disclosed details of patients’ mental health diagnoses and treatments, including those of children. Psychologist Barry Helfmann denies wrongdoing.Secret Hospital Inspections May Become Public at Last
April 18, 1:15 p.m.
The federal government has proposed requiring that accreditors release reports on the problems they find during hospital inspections. Right now, the reports are secret.Heritage Foundation Alum Critical of Transgender Rights to Lead HHS Civil Rights Office
March 24, 3:39 p.m.
Roger Severino, the new head of the Office for Civil Rights within Health and Human Services, has opposed transgender patients’ rights, same-sex marriage and Planned Parenthood.On Health Reform, Democrats and Republicans Don’t Speak the Same Language
March 23, 5 a.m.
We analyzed more than 575 press releases from representatives and senators about the Affordable Care Act and its repeal. Democrats, we found, speak more often and are more united.We Fact-Checked Lawmakers’ Letters to Constituents on Health Care
March 22, 5 a.m.
They’re full of lies and misinformation.Fact-Checking Elected Officials on the Affordable Care Act Repeal
March 10, 6 a.m.
ProPublica is working with other news organizations to collect and analyze letters and emails from elected officials to constituents on the ACA, beginning with a misleading missive by Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt. Send us more!How a Simple Fix to Reduce Aberrant Prescribing Became Not So Simple
Feb. 10, 6 a.m.
In 2014, the government said health providers would have to enroll in Medicare in order to prescribe drugs to seniors and disabled beneficiaries. Delay after delay has pushed back the requirement until 2019. It’s been “much more challenging” than anticipated, an official concedes.After Officials Sign Off, Cleveland Clinic Doctor Secretly Returns Home
Feb. 7, 2:08 p.m.
Suha Abushamma had been forced to leave the United States after President Donald Trump’s travel ban. She sued, and high-level discussions led to her return yesterday.Despite Judge’s Order, a Cleveland Clinic Doctor Still Can’t Come Back to U.S.
Feb. 6, 3:16 p.m.
A federal judge’s order has allowed many people with visas to come to the U.S. But Dr. Suha Abushamma isn’t one of them. She was forced to give up her visa. And now she’s suing.Cleveland Clinic Medical Trainee Sues to Come Back to U.S.
Feb. 1, 2:38 p.m.
Dr. Suha Abushamma was denied entry to this country Saturday, hours after President Trump signed an executive order temporarily banning visitors from seven countries.Trump’s Travel Ban is Wreaking Havoc on Families, Especially Those With Valid Visas
Jan. 31, 9 a.m.
The executive order banning travel from seven predominantly Muslim nations is separating families who made every effort to follow U.S. immigration law.Safeguard the public interest.
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