Jenna Portnoy

Washington, D.C.

Reporter covering healthcare in Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

Education: University of Delaware, BA in English

Jenna Portnoy is the local health reporter for The Washington Post. She previously covered members of Congress from the greater Washington region and worked in the Richmond bureau, where she wrote about the governor and the legislature. Before joining The Post, she worked for the Newark Star-Ledger in her home state, covering then-governor Chris Christie, as well as the Allentown Morning Call, Doylestown Intelligencer, Philadelphia City Paper and Easton Express-Times. She has been a newspaper reporter since 2001.
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Jenna Portnoy

Tensions rising again at D.C. community health center as more staff leave

Unity Health Care faces provider shortages as union talks continue, raising questions about the network’s ability to keep treating vulnerable patients.

September 6, 2024
Family medicine physician Emily Zucker, seen at Unity Health’s East of the River Health Center in March 2023, said she is booked out for new patient visits through the end of the year.

D.C. cancels $42 million in residents’ medical debt

D.C. cancels $42 million in medical debt through nonprofit partnership, benefiting residents.

August 30, 2024
D.C. officials announced that the city has partnered with a nonprofit to cancel $42 million in medical debt for some residents.

Mold, bugs found at Va. Boar’s Head facility tied to listeria outbreak

The Boar’s Head plant in southern Virginia at the epicenter of a deadly nationwide listeria outbreak was found with mold and insects, according to USDA reports.

August 29, 2024
Shelves sit empty where Boar's Head meats are usually displayed at a Safeway store in San Anselmo, Calif., on July 31.

    Fauci contracted West Nile. How risky are mosquitoes in the D.C. region?

    Anthony Fauci was hospitalized with West Nile virus, highlighting concerns about mosquito-borne diseases.

    August 27, 2024
    Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District biologist Nadja Reissen examines a mosquito in August 2019.

    Legionella found at FTC; employees can work at home as precaution

    Legionella bacteria was found at Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, prompting officials to allow employees to work from home.

    August 14, 2024
    The Federal Trade Commission will permit hundreds of employees to work from home after the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease was identified at its D.C. headquarters. The building remains open. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

    D.C.’s largest hospital diverted EMS traffic after facilities issue

    The Northwest Washington hospital detected a water leak related to a sprinkler head on the second floor and a small leak in the air conditioning system.

    July 25, 2024
    The main entrance to MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Northwest Washington, seen in 2017.

    Caught by surprise: How covid summer is affecting the D.C. region

    An increase in covid cases in the D.C. region has upended summer plans yet again, catching residents by surprise and sending them scrambling for at-home tests.

    July 18, 2024
    A sticker advocates masks and keeping a safe distance near Logan Circle in late May.

    D.C. heat hits 104 degrees as people seek shelter and AC

    D.C. tied a record high of 104 degrees Tuesday as health providers reported an uptick in suspected heat-related illness and some summer programs for kids were moved inside.

    July 16, 2024
    A woman holds an umbrella to dodge the sunlight as temperatures hit 101 degrees in Washington on July 16, 2024. (Allison Robbert/The Washington Post)

    How to know if your summer swimming spot is safe from E. coli

    Swimming in natural waters is never completely risk-free, so state and local environmental agencies in the D.C. area keep an eye on beaches, lakes and rivers.

    July 3, 2024
    People fish off a dock in Navy Yard into the Anacostia River last month.

    Swimming advisory issued for part of Lake Anna due to algae bloom

    Virginia public health officials on Friday advised against swimming in the upper section of the North Anna Branch of Lake Anna due to harmful levels of algae.

    June 21, 2024
    Lake Anna State Park.