United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW)

The United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was a government agency responsible for overseeing public health, education, and social services from 1953 until 1979. Its mission was to promote the health, well-being, and education of Americans, manage programs like Medicaid and Medicare, and support institutions like schools. In 1979, HEW was reorganized, and its functions were split into separate departments: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education. HEW played a crucial role in shaping policies to improve public health and education standards nationwide.