Social Welfare Reform Paper

The aim of this paper is to review the greatest reform of the social welfare implemented at the end of the 20th century. The paper contains an overview of the key factors that lead to the reform development and contributed to its execution. It also describes the main stages of the implementation of the reform. I will touch on the political, structural and the symbolic frames of change implementation. The paper covers the style of leadership and approaches to the management of the Department of Health and Human Services and her role in the reform implementation.
This paper contents an overview of the development of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I narrow my research to the changes that happened in the Department after implementation
Department of Health and Human Services. The management challenges posed by this public organization have worried administrators and policymakers since the Department was officially created as the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in April 1953, converting the Federal Security Agency (an agency that contained a range of programs) to a cabinet-level department. (Radin 1999, p 7)
In 1979 the department’s functions narrowed to the health and social security. Since then it became known as The Department of Health and Human Services. Educational functions were transferred to the separate department. Another major structural change happened when the Social Security administration was moved from the department and separate independent agency was established in 1995. (Wikipedia)
The following year – 1996 was meant to be the year of significant change not just for the Department of Health and Human Services, but for the citizens of the United States. This year President Clinton signed "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act’ that he symbolically called the end of welfare as we knew
Ms. Shalala known as a strong leader capable to manage one of the most complex decentralized cabinet level departments, was a strong support to Bill Clinton. In fact, her holding a secretary of HHS post was an important precondition that helped the reform to be implemented. She was respected and supported by both political parties, which made her a powerful negotiator, and helped the President to liberalize the bill pushed by conservatives. Haskins 2006, welfare counsel to the Republican staff, in his insider’s story on the reform legislation development shares, that Donna Shalala was admired by representatives of both parties and plaid crucial role in the battle of political views prior to the signing legislation by the President.
It is impossible for a fair person not too be impressed with Shalala. She had make it a point during her first two years in Washington to meet with influential republicans and to always return their phone calls. Some members trusted her and admired her greatly. And they had every reason to do so.