U.S. Social Welfare, Healthcare, and Education Policies Overview

Social welfare programs

Programs that expand during times of social and economic distress to support vulnerable populations, providing basic needs including food, healthcare, and financial aid.

1861-1865 (Post-Civil War) Support for Women and Orphans

Government enacted programs for women and orphans left without financial support.

1930s (Great Depression) Social Security

Introduced to support retirees, unemployed, and disabled individuals.

1930s Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)

Established to assist single mothers and children.

1965 Medicare & Medicaid

Created under President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society programs.

Dependency Ratio

Refers to the number of workers in the economy relative to the number of retirees, affecting social welfare programs like Social Security.

Fertility Rate Trends

The decline in the number of children each woman has in developed countries as women pursue career and professional opportunities.

Medicare

Federal program established in 1965 for people 65+ and those with certain disabilities.

Medicaid

Joint federal-state program established in 1965 for low-income individuals and families.

Funding for Medicare

Funded through payroll taxes and premiums.

Funding for Medicaid

Funded through federal-state matching grants.

Cost to Beneficiaries of Medicare

Includes premiums, deductibles, and copays.

Cost to Beneficiaries of Medicaid

Little to no cost depending on income.

Affordable Care Act (2010)

Expanded Medicaid, protected people with preexisting conditions, included a mandate to purchase insurance, and provided subsidies for insurance purchases.

U.S. Healthcare System Structure

54% of Americans have health insurance through employment; it is a hybrid system combining private health insurance with government programs.

SNAP Evolution

The Food Stamp Program was renamed to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to reduce stigma and better reflect its purpose.

Work and drug testing requirements

Often imposed on beneficiaries of means-tested programs.

Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring'

Raised public awareness about pesticide dangers, especially DDT, and helped spark the environmental movement.

Clean Air Act

Regulated air emissions.

Clean Water Act

Protected water quality.

Endangered Species Act

Protected threatened species.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Ensured safe public water systems.

Scientific consensus on climate change

Burning fossil fuels contributes significantly to global warming.

Renewable energy

Wind and solar are critical for combating climate change.

Texas energy use

Wind and solar account for 25% of total energy use in Texas.

EPA's Three E's

1. Environment: Protecting through sensible regulations; 2. Economy: Ensuring protection doesn't hinder growth; 3. Engagement: Collaborating with state/local governments.

State and local governments in education

Have primary control over education policy.

Federal government in education

Focuses on discrimination protection for girls, ethnic minorities, and special needs students.

Brown v. Board of Education

Ended racial segregation in schools; violated 14th Amendment.

Title IX

Guaranteed gender equity in education; equal funding for girls' programs.

Texas State Board of Education (SBOE)

15 elected members responsible for choosing textbooks, setting curriculum, and graduation requirements.

Local school boards

Elected bodies responsible for choosing superintendents, setting teacher salaries, discipline policies, and building decisions.

Edgewood v. Kirby

Texas Supreme Court ruled school funding system unconstitutional.

Robin Hood Plan

Requires wealthy districts (top 10%) to share money with poor districts.

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)

Governor Abbott pushed for school vouchers in 2025.

Civil Rights Movement

Marked by landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education.

EPA Secretary (2025)

Lee Zeldin, confirmed on January 29, 2025.

Education Secretary (2025)

Linda McMahon.

Health & Human Services Secretary (2025)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Interior Secretary (2025)

Doug Burgum, confirmed on January 20, 2025.

Veterans Affairs Secretary (2025)

Doug Collins, confirmed on January 20, 2025.

SNAP

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

AFDC

Aid for Families with Dependent Children.

ACA

Affordable Care Act.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency.

HHS

Health and Human Services.

SBOE

State Board of Education.

ESAs

Education Savings Accounts.