U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

The U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was a federal agency established in 1953 to oversee public health, education, and social services. It managed programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and public health initiatives, aiming to improve people's health and access to education. In 1979, HEW was split into two separate departments: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education. The HHS now handles health policies and programs, while the Department of Education focuses on U.S. education systems.