WFAE’s series “The Price We Pay” examines why Americans spend more on medical care than those in other wealthy countries, despite getting worse results. On this episode, we sit down with health policy experts to understand the costs, benefits and sustainability of employer-sponsored health insurance — a system that provides health care for hundreds of millions of Americans and their families.

Charlotte Talks

The future of employer-sponsored health care

A Charlotte-based investigative reporter for USA Today sits down with host Mike Collins and others to outline his findings on what he calls America’s broken Section 8 housing system — especially in the Southeast and in Charlotte.

Section 8 housing in the Southeast is broken, USA Today reporter says. How do we fix it?

For many American families, child care is a necessity, as children make up 22% of the U.S. population. But the cost can be prohibitively expensive, forcing some parents to choose between paying for child care or quitting their jobs. We sit down with local and national experts to look at the impact of child care on everything from gender roles to the national economy.

Child care, a critical service for families, remains inaccessible for many across the U.S.

We dig into the intersection of race, class, and food and the contribution of African Americans to what we think of as “American food."

African American chefs and Black culinary traditions are getting some recognition in Charlotte

On the Local News Roundup: months after being suspended following complaints from students and parents about how allegations of sexual assault have been handled, the principal at Myers Park High School is reassigned. Charlotte City Council takes its first look at what will be a topic of conversation for many months — the Unified Development Ordinance — and the rate of nursing home staff vaccinations are reportedly low.

Local News Roundup: Myers Park High principal reassigned; Unified Development Ordinance gets first look; COVID-19 surge dwindles

Two major bills, an infrastructure and social policy package, are currently working their way through Congress. What would these “once-in-a-generation" investments mean for North Carolina and the country as a whole?

What's inside Congress' infrastructure and social policy bills, and how might they 'Build Back' America?

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles stops in for her monthly visit with Charlotte Talks to catch up on all things Charlotte, including the Unified Development Ordinance, Charlotte redistricting, our new nondiscrimination ordinance and more.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles discusses redistricting, the nondiscrimination ordinance and more in monthly visit

The U.S. spends twice as much on medical care per person than other wealthy countries, but health outcomes remain poor. We look at what Congress can, and can't, do to improve the nation's healthcare.

The Price We Pay: Congressional solutions to America's health care woes

Historian Nathaniel Philbrick recreated the epic road trip traveled by George Washington in his quest to unify the fledgling United States. He shares what he learned in his book "Travels with George."

Historian Nathaniel Philbrick follows in the footsteps of George Washington in 'Travels With George'

On the next Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: another LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinance passes locally, this time in Mecklenburg County. A Charlotte high school goes on lockdown after a gun is found on campus. And voting maps are reviewed. Our roundtable of reporters will discuss those stories and more from the week’s news.

Local News Roundup: redistricting continues, another high school lockdown, new nondiscrimination ordinance for Mecklenburg

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the United States was already battling an opioid epidemic. Now, it's even worse. We look into the roots of the opioid crisis and why it continues to ravage the country.

Why America remains hooked on opioids

We're continuing the conversation about being Black in America and how systemic racism continues to harm African Americans and all communities in this country. This is an unfiltered, honest discussion that happened after our previous conversation, and we're sharing pieces of that conversation with you.

An unfiltered conversation about being Black in America — continued

We take a closer look at how memory works, why some memories are more vivid than others and why we forget things. Plus, we get some tips on how to keep our memory sharp.

Neuroscientist Lisa Genova shares the science of memory and why we forget

There's a growing concern over inflation, which has been on the rise during the pandemic. Is it here to stay?

Rising prices and the effects of inflation

Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the topic is bound to be discussed on Charlotte Talks. Follow along: @CharlotteTalks.

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