Winners Selected: The 2026 NIHCM Awards in Health Care Journalism and Policy Research

Washington, DC – April 29, 2026 - Today, NIHCM announced the winners of the 32nd Annual NIHCM Awards in Health Care Journalism and Policy Research. The winning teams delivered novel insights and high-impact work – identifying clinical concerns at some for-profit psychiatric hospitals, revealing regulatory oversight failures in the US organ transplantation system, and uncovering potential fraud in addiction treatment. They also explored hidden oncology drug costs, policy impacts on the physician labor market, and questionable practices at a fast-growing compounding pharmacy.

“Great journalism and policy research make health care better,” said Andrew Dreyfus, CEO and President of the NIHCM Foundation. “This group of journalists and researchers generated new insights on the nation’s health care system, helping us to understand how to both improve quality and promote affordability. I am thrilled to recognize the winners and their work that will continue to shape the narrative on health care costs, quality, access, and more.”

Each NIHCM award is selected from a competitive entry pool by an independent panel of judges. The winning entry in each category will receive a $15,000 to $20,000 cash prize.

The NIHCM Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving health care through evidence and collaboration.

Join us in congratulating the winners! #NIHCMAwardsJournalism or #NIHCMAwardsPolicyResearch