On the very first day of Say Ahhh!’s existence, Cindy Mann wrote:
“The health care policy field is filled with engaged, bright, and talented people and I find it invigorating to get out and talk to them while traveling to various states to promote children’s health coverage. I see this blog as a great place to tap into that energy without leaving my desk. While it won’t provide frequent flier miles, it should prove to be a very worthwhile journey.”
And a worthwhile journey it has been. Say Ahhh! has amplified the voices of children’s health advocates from across the country on topics such as meeting the needs of children and families
through health reform and CHIPRA implementation. We deciphered the various proposals and highlighted data and family stories that reminded readers of the fact that the status quo wasn’t working. Say Ahhh! also followed the ups and downs of children’s health coverage on the state level. Bloggers helped call attention to Tennessee’s decision to freeze enrollment in children’s coverage and applauded the state when it reversed the decision. Say Ahhh! was there when Iowa, Oregon, Kansas, Colorado and Wisconsin successfully expanded or improved their children’s coverage. We blogged about California’s decision to close and re-open enrollment in its CHIP program (Healthy Families) and about the Virginia Assembly’s decision to stand up to the Governor by refusing to deny families access to its CHIP program (FAMIS). Say Ahhh! has applauded state innovations from Louisiana to Wisconsin and several places in between.
When we launched Say Ahhh! a year ago today, we didn’t quite know what to expect but, it is safe to say, the blog has exceeded our expectations. In its first year, Say Ahhh!’s viewership has steadily increased and, while we doubted whether we would have enough content to post twice a week in the early months, we’re now up to posting three or four times per week.
The most pleasant surprise has been the large number of thoughtful guest bloggers that have stepped forward to become part of the Say Ahhh! community. In addition to the CCF voices of Jocelyn Guyer, Joan, Alker, Tricia Brooks, Dawn Horner, Liz Arjun, Martha Heberlein, Cathy Hope, Joe Touschner and Cindy Mann (before she moved to CMS), we have heard from 23 guest bloggers. A heart-felt thank-you goes out to the following guest bloggers for sharing their views with Say Ahhh! Readers: Adam Searing (NC), Deb Colburn (CO), Suzanne Wikle (KS), Cathy Kaufman (OR), Carrie Fitzgerald (IA), Jill Beckwith (RI), Jon Peacock (WI), Wendy Lazarus (CA), Michele Johnson (TN), John Bouman (IL), Gary Brunk (KS), David Blatt (OK), John McInerney (VA), Mara Youdelman (NHelp), Robert Nelb (health policy fellow), Kay Johnson (national health policy expert), Edwin Park (CBPP), Julia Kay (NWLP), Meg Booth (CDHP), Judy Waxman (NWLP), Donna Cohen Ross (CBPP), Charlie Homer (NICHQ),and Gordon Whitman (PICO).
We also want to thank all of our readers (especially those who leave comments) and hope you’ll help Say Ahhh! continue to “grow and thrive” in its second year. Thank you for all you have done to help nurture it along this far.
So far, we have heard from bloggers in 13 states. We would like to continue to hear from those states while expanding to cover all 50 by our fifth birthday and hope you’ll help us meet that goal. We’re looking forward to learning more about what’s happening in your state either through a comment or a guest blog entry (contact our blog editor, Cathy Hope, for details).
