Origin Story: Medicaid
Established in 1965 under the Social Security Act, Medicaid was born from a national commitment to health justice. It ensures that low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities can access essential healthcare—no matter their zip code.
Origin Story: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), often called the Consumer Protection Agency, was born out of the 2008 financial crisis—a time when millions of Americans lost homes, jobs, and savings due to unchecked lending practices and regulatory gaps. In response, the federal government passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.
Origin Story: The Consumer Protection Agency
The U.S. Consumer Protection Agency exists to defend Americans from unsafe, unfair, and deceptive practices in the marketplace. Its foundations were laid in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy introduced the Consumer Bill of Rights, declaring consumers’ rights to safety, information, choice, and a voice in the system.
Origin Stories: Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cornerstone in safeguarding the health and well-being of Americans. Established in 1953 as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), it was restructured in 1979, leading to the creation of a separate Department of Education and the renaming of HEW to HHS.
Origin Stories: The Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students and streamline federal education policies. Before its creation, education oversight was scattered across multiple agencies, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in funding and policy implementation.
The CDC’s Journey: Origins, Challenges, and Public Health Triumphs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been a cornerstone of public health in the United States since its founding in 1946. Originally established as the Communicable Disease Center, its primary mission was to combat malaria, which posed a significant threat in the southern U.S. at the time. Armed with a small budget and a dedicated team, the CDC focused on controlling mosquito populations and preventing the spread of disease.
Origin Stories: USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, consolidating various foreign assistance programs into a single agency. Its mission was to promote international development while advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives, rooted in the belief that America's security and prosperity were linked to the wellbeing of developing nations.