National Journal hires ME of FDA Week to cover health care

National Journal editor Steve Smith and managing editor Ben Pershing jointly announced to the staff this afternoon:

With a lame-duck session and then a brand new Congress coming up fast after the election, we want to announce some personnel moves that we believe will make a core part of National Journal’s coverage even stronger.

First, we have hired Erin Durkin to serve as our new health care reporter. Erin is currently a reporter at Inside Health Policy and the managing editor at FDA Week, giving her a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and the broader health landscape. Before that, she did stints at the Center for Public Integrity, USA Today, and Capital News Service. Her first day at National Journal will be Oct. 24.

Second, after the election, Andrea Drusch will be moving off of the Hotline to join our congressional reporting team. Andrea has done a terrific job covering Senate races for us, so it seems natural to have her focus her energies on the Senate when she goes to the Capitol.

And we have one more addition to the congressional crew: Adam Wollner, who has excelled at covering the presidential race. Now he’ll have the chance on the Hill to cover defense and foreign policy, vitally important topics we’ve been eager to add to our policy portfolio.

Congratulations to Erin, Andrea, and Adam, and thanks to all of you for your continued good work.

Steve and Ben