Wednesday's podcasts stories

America's affordable housing crisis
America didn't have enough affordable housing before the pandemic, and the problem has only gotten worse due to a frenzied housing market and a looming end to foreclosure and eviction moratoriums.
Axios Re:Cap digs into what can be done to increase the country's affordable housing stock, both on a policy level and in the private sector. Our guest is Colleen Briggs of J.P. Morgan Chase, which this morning issued a set of policy recommendations to bolster affordable home buying and renting.
Biden meets Putin
Later today, President Biden will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This will be the first meeting between the two since Biden took office. What’s it going to be like inside that room?
- Plus, more evidence of COVID’s long term effects.
- And, the new corporate must-have? The company retreat.
Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Glen Johnson, Marisa Fernandez, and Bryan Walsh.
Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Justin Kaufmann, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, Amy Pedulla, Naomi Shavin, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at [email protected].
Go deeper:
The pandemic’s mental health toll
COVID-19 shed light on and exacerbated the structural problems in the U.S. mental health care system — which often requires patients to seek out care and pay out-of-pocket for it. Demand for mental health services has skyrocketed, and therapists have reported difficulty meeting demand.
Axios Re:Cap is joined by Chris Molaro, CEO of NeuroFlow, to discuss gaps in the mental health care system and how mental health technology has evolved in the midst of the pandemic.
Note: This episode mentions depression and suicide. If you or someone you know needs help today, you can find help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s free and available 24/7: 1-800-273-8255.
Predatory billing by U.S. hospitals
A new Axios Special Report, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, sheds light on some of the predatory practices American hospitals are using to collect patients' debt. Medical debt makes up 58% of all debt collections in the U.S. and has caused hundreds of thousands of Americans to file for bankruptcy.
- Plus, the overlooked role of Latinos in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.
- And, the home ownership gap widens.
