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How Workers' Compensation Transformed American Labor

How Workers' Compensation Transformed American Labor

In 1911, Wisconsin pioneered the first comprehensive workers' compensation law, creating a revolutionary system that protected millions of industrial workers from economic devastation after workplace injuries.

A vintage office room filled with old typewriters and chairs, evoking a 1940s-1960s era ambiance.

How Congress Created a Safety Net for Disabled Workers

In 1956, Congress passed groundbreaking legislation providing financial protection for millions of disabled Americans, transforming workplace safety and economic security forever.

Vintage typewriter and telephone on a wooden desk, representing 1970s office environment

How Congress Transformed Healthcare with the HMO Act

In 1973, Congress passed groundbreaking legislation that would reshape American healthcare, creating a new model that prioritized preventive care and cost control.

Vintage typewriter and telephone on a wooden desk, representing 1980s office environment

How Congress Created Health Insurance Safety Net for American Workers

In 1985, Congress passed landmark legislation protecting 40 million workers from losing health coverage during job transitions, revolutionizing employee benefits nationwide.

Vintage office setup featuring a typewriter, rotary phone, and retro furnishings.

How the Federal Benefits Law Transformed Workplace Retirement Security

In 1974, Congress passed landmark legislation that revolutionized retirement benefits, creating unprecedented protections for 40 million American workers' pensions.

A vintage office room filled with old typewriters and chairs, evoking a 1940s-1960s era ambiance.

How World War II Created the Modern Employee Benefits System

During World War II, wage freezes forced employers to get creative: health insurance became a key tool for attracting and retaining talented workers.

When Americans First Paid Their Own Medical Bills

When Americans First Paid Their Own Medical Bills

The 1950s birth of indemnity insurance forever changed how Americans thought about healthcare costs, creating a system where patients became consumers in ways unimaginable today.