CURRENT ISSUES
SOCIAL INTERACTIONS: STANDARD 12 HEALTH
AND SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS
WHAT ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES IS THE ABOVE POLITICAL CARTOON
TRYING TO POKE FUN AT?
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON SOCIAL AND HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN
PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES?
Social welfare- Public funds
provided to persons and
families whose income falls
below certain federal poverty
levels.
Health welfare- Pubic health
care provided to persons and
families whose income falls
below certain federal poverty
levels.
Health
and Social
welfare

1624 Virginia Colony passes the first legislation recognizing services and
needs of disabled soldiers and sailors based on "special work" contributions
to society.

1642 Plymouth Colony enacts a poor law that directs that relief cases be
discussed at town meetings.

1647 The first colonial Poor Law enacted by Rhode Island emphasizes public
responsibility for relief of the poor, to maintain the impotent, and to employ
the able

1657 Scots' Charitable Society, the first American "friendly society," founded
in Boston, represents the starts of voluntary societies to meet special welfare
needs.

1729 The Ursuline Sisters of New Orleans establish a private home to care for
mothers and children who are survivors of Indian massacres and a smallpox
epidemic.

1773 The first public mental hospital, Williamsburg Asylum, is established in
Williamsburg, Virginia. It is later renamed Eastern Hospital.
HISTORY OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH
WELFARE IN THE UNITED STATES

1798 The U.S. Public Health Service is established following severe
epidemics in Eastern sea-board cities, which were caused by
diseases brought into the country as a result of increased shipping
and immigration.

1817 The first free US school for the deaf-the Gallaudet School-is
founded in Hartford, Connecticut.

1824 The House of Refuge, the first state-funded institution for juvenile
delinquents, is founded in New York.

1834 The Poor Law Reform Act, legislation in England that influences
American social welfare with its emphasis on complete assumption
by able-bodied people of responsibility for their own economic
security.
HISTORY OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH
WELFARE IN THE UNITED STATES

1841 Dorothea Dix investigates the care provided to insane people. She ultimately
is responsible for establishing 41 state hospitals and the federal St. Elizabeth's
Hospital in Washington, DC.

1865 The Freedmen's Bureau provides food, clothing, and shelter for freedmen
and refugees

1880 The Salvation Army is founded

1932 Emergency Relief and Construction Act into law purpose is to lend money
to states for relief purpose

1932 The New Deal

1935 The Health, Education and Welfare Act (Social Security Act; ch. 531, 49 Stat.
620) is passed by Congress on August 14, providing old age assistance benefits, a
Social Security Board, grants to states for unemployment compensation
administration, aid to dependent children, maternal and child welfare, public
health work, and aid to blind people.
HISTORY OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH
WELFARE IN THE UNITED STATES

1964 Modern Food stamp program

1965 Medicaid

1980 Welfare state spending: expanding social welfare, Spending more on social
welfare than on national defense

1981 Cut back on social welfare assistance

1996: Welfare Reform Act

2003, President BUSH proposed major changes to the reauthorized welfare reform
law. Under his proposals, welfare recipients would have to work 40 hours per week
at a job or in a program designed to help the recipient achieve independence.
This initiative, coupled with a Medicaid proposal that would give block grants to
the states for managing HEALTH CARE services for indigent persons, faced an
uncertain fate in Congress.

2013 Affordable Care Act (Obama Care)
HISTORY OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH
WELFARE IN THE UNITED STATES
US Welfare Spending History from 1900
In 1902 governments in the United States spent very little on relief of the poor, including less than
0.2 percent of GDP on relief and 0.25 percent of GDP on health care services. In the early 21st
century, governments spend over 8 percent of GDP on welfare programs, including health care for
the poor.
US Medicare Spending Since 1965
Medicare benefits cost about 3 percent of GDP each year.
Medicare, is the federal health care program for senior citizens
US Social Security Spending Since 1935
Social Security Program Growth
Independent Assignment
Each student will read the handout entitled “The New Deal” and
write a 3-5 paragraph essay explaining the reasoning behind the
legislation, what was the law, important programs implemented,
and your opinion on the necessity and effectiveness of the law.
WHAT IS THE TOPIC OF BOTH POLITICAL CARTOONS?
DO THE CARTOONIST OF BOTH POLITICAL CARTOONS SHARE THE SAME POINT
OF VIEW ABOUT THE TOPIC?
PICK ONE POLITICAL CARTOON AND EXPLAIN THE CARTOONIST POINT OF
VIEW.

List 3 Facts you think you Know about Obama Care

List 2 Opinions you have about Obama Care

List one question you have about Obama care
3,2,1