The NIHCM Foundation Local Media Award recognizes excellence in local written reporting that provides valuable insights into health care management, financing, delivery, affordability, and rising health care costs. The award aims to highlight impactful journalism that can help managed care organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders improve the affordability and quality of U.S. health care. This is the first annual iteration of the award, and it seeks to encourage in-depth local reporting on health care-related issues that have broad implications for the industry and the public.

Eligible submissions must have been originally published during the calendar year 2024 and must be produced by a local media outlet exclusively focused on a local market. National media outlets are not eligible for this award. Entries can come from newspapers, magazines, websites, and nonprofit news organizations, provided they address critical aspects of health care, including affordability, cost management, and accessibility. The work should contribute to improving the understanding of health care challenges and offer insights that may influence policies and industry practices.

The Local Media Award offers a $15,000 prize to the winner. There is no entry fee, and each entrant may submit up to three entries. However, each article or series may only be submitted to one award category. Submissions will be evaluated by independent panels of journalists and researchers, with the selection criteria focused on the quality of reporting, the impact of the work, and its potential to inform and improve health care policy and practices.

Applications for the 1st Annual Local Media Award are currently open and will close on March 28, 2025. This deadline applies to all entries. The award aims to identify and celebrate journalists whose work has a measurable impact on health care affordability, management, and policy at the local level.

For inquiries regarding the award or submission process, applicants can contact Mikayla Thompson at mthompson@nihcm.org. Additional details on submission guidelines and past award winners can be found on the NIHCM Foundation’s website.

The NIHCM Foundation is based in Washington, DC, at 1225 19th St. NW, Suite 710. They can be reached by phone at 202-296-4426 or fax at 202-296-4319. The organization encourages journalists to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their impactful reporting on local health care issues.