Modern Healthcare is seeking an enterprising journalist to cover policy and politics that affect the healthcare sector for an audience that expects sharp reporting, clear analysis and real authority. This role sits at the center of our newsroom’s mission to break news, interpret complex developmentsand deliver journalism that moves conversations in the industries we cover.

The policy and politics reporter will track developments on Capitol Hill and the statesand follow how policy affects the business of healthcare. The reporter will be expected to break news from Congress and build sources among lawmakers, aides and lobbyists. This beat demands someone who can build strong source networks, develop original story ideas and spot the signal in the noise across a rapidly changing landscape.

You’ll report fast, write cleanly and balance breaking coverage with deeper enterprise and analysis in formats including narrative stories, explainers and Q&A interviews. The reporter must be adept at working with colleagues to conceive multimedia presentations such as data visualizations.

We are a digital-first newsroom. You’ll publish throughout the day, contribute to newsletters, use analytics to understand audience behavior and collaborate across teams to shape coverage that resonates with the people who rely on us most.

This is a fast-paced role that requires initiative, accountability and a collaborative mindset. You’ll succeed by developing a strong command of your beat, maintaining steady communication with editorsand consistently delivering reporting that stands out in a competitive news environment. This role uses modern digital and AI tools to accelerate research and reporting, but fundamentally relies on your judgment, sourcing and storytelling.

Location

Will work from your Washington-area home office with occasional travel to cover events.

What You’ll Do

 Break news and deliver scoops on healthcare policy and politics, with an emphasis on Congress but an eye on state and local policymaking.

 Collaborate with teammates covering healthcare regulation, healthcare providers and suppliers and health insurance companies.

 Report and write quick-turn stories, longer enterprise pieces and analytical coverage.

 Develop deep source relationships across key stakeholders.

 Track data, filings, market movements and industry shifts to surface stories before competitors do.

 Pitch ideas that reflect audience needs and anticipate how the story will evolve.

 Collaborate with editors, audience teams and colleagues across the newsroom.

 Contribute to newsletters, social media promotion and digital publishing workflows.

 Participate in Modern Healthcare events, panels, podcasts, award programs as needed.

 Stay attuned to trends, innovations and forces reshaping the healthcare business

What You Bring

 Degree in journalism or a related field or equivalent experience.

 3+ years of reporting experience.

 Proven ability to break news and develop reliable sources.

 Ability to write clean, concise, accurate copy on tight deadlines.

 Strong news judgment and curiosity, with the ability to 2see the story2 in complex material.

 Comfort operating in a digital-first environment and juggling multiple stories, updating as news evolves and collaborating with editors in real time.

 Ability to interpret data, financial documents, legislation, research and regulatory filings relevant to the beat.

 Comfort using digital tools including analytics platforms, research databases and AI-enabled search or transcription tools to support reporting and source development.

 Skill in generating enterprise ideas that illuminate trends and add depth beyond the headlines.

Preferred Qualifications

 Experience covering healthcare, politics, Congress or related topics.

 Experience with newsletters, audience analytics, multimedia and/or event participation.

 A track record of stories that demonstrate both speed and depth.

This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.

Pay Transparency Disclosure:

The estimated salary range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000.

The final salary offering will take into account a wide range of factors, including experience, accomplishments and location. The salary range provided should not be considered as a salary limit or cap. In addition to base salary, Crain also offers competitive benefits including retirement plan savings contributions and bonus opportunities based on individual and company performance.

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Environmental Demands

Where you work matters. The job posting will provide specific information on where and when your amazing work would be performed. Employee work location is determined by the needs of the specific team and may include on-site, hybrid or remote. Employee work location is subject to change.

• An 2in-office2 role would require the employee to come into the office most days with occasional flexibility to work remotely if tasks can be performed elsewhere and if the manager approves.
• A 2remote2 role would allow an employee to work from a home office that is in one of the states Crain does business in. We can only employ a remote / "work from home" employee if they reside in one of these states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, and Washington, DC.
• A 2hybrid2 role would be a mix of in-office and remote work. There may be a specified schedule for coming into the office or it could be at the discretion of the employee with the managers approval, subject to change.
• Employees who live within a reasonable commute distance from a Crain office are expected to work on-site 3 days per week.

Many positions will also include work done in 2the field.2 Depending on the role, this may include conducting in-person interviews, attending work-related events, meeting with sources or clients. Specifics will be noted in the job posting but are subject to change as a role evolves.Employees may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other typical job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work.

Travel to cover news stories/events, meetings with clients, and to our geographically separated offices may be required. It is the nature of many positions to experience non-standard working hours and be on-call when needed for responding to email, meeting with clients, attending work-related events, story development or breaking news. Most employees perform work Monday through Friday, although early-morning, evening or weekend shifts may be required.Work schedule and travel requirements are subject to change as a role and needs evolve over time.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functio