Month: January 2024

Accessing mental health services can be challenging for people on Medicare, the federal health insurance program available to most people over 65.

At the beginning of this year, the program expanded coverage to licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family counselors. But is this expansion enough to address a growing mental health gap in the United States.

NPR’s Juana Summers talks to a licensed professional counselor and professor about what these changes could mean.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org

Longtime CEO of the National Rifle Associate has announced his resignation. LaPierre steps down amid accusations of misappropriating funds from the non-profit. Facing a civil trial, what will the NRA look like after LaPierre?

Host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR’s Brian Mann, who’s been following the case.

Several hundred pages of documents were released Wednesday in a lawsuit brought against Jeffrey Epstein. They include the names of dozens of powerful men with alleged connections to Epstein. Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, magician David Copperfield, Prince Andrew and more.

Most of those publicly named — many of whom are already known to have links to Epstein — have denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities.

Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019.

We make sense of the newly revealed documents and discuss why the Jeffrey Epstein case still matters.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org

Twin bombings in Iran and a senior Hamas leader killed in Lebanon are just two recent events that are prompting concern that the war between Israel and Hamas could be expanding to other parts of the Middle East.

NPR correspondents Jane Arraf and Peter Kenyon, both with deep experience in the region, talk to All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly about the days events, and what it could mean for the stability of the region going forward.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org

Former President and likely Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been kicked off primary ballots in Maine and Colorado. His name on the ballot is being challenged in several other states across the country. All the challenges are based on the insurrection clause in the 14th amendment and stem from Trump’s involvement in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

Trump is appealing the Maine decision, and is expected to appeal the Colorado decision.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a democrat, told All Things Considered that Trump’s actions on January 6th are what drove her decision to remove him from the ballot.

NPR’s Juana Summers, talks to Senior Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro about the decisions to remove Trump, whether they’ll stand, and what these challenges could mean for the outcome of the Presidential election.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org

The tradition of the New Year’s resolution can be alluring. What better moment in time to resolve to accomplish important goals ? New year, new you, right?

But research and polling show that a lot of people who set out make resolutions give up on them. If the temptation of an extra hour of sleep is likely to crush your dream to attend that 6am spin class, maybe you need to rethink your resolution.

Host Juana Summers talks with Marielle Segarra, host of NPR’s Life Kit, about why focusing more on smaller goals and intentions can help you succeed

If you’ve had a tough 2023, it might be hard to jump into 2024 with enthusiasm.

For our last episode of the year we check in with a writer who’s advice on life and writing has resonated with millions of readers.

NPR’s Adrian Ma speaks with author Anne Lamott who shares some tips for a happier new year.