OVETA CULP HOBBY
In 1955 Jonas Salk invented his polio vaccine. A bill was introduced in Congress to provide the vaccine free to all children:. At the time, very conservative politicians like Hobby, wanted no connection between the government and the health and medical system other than what the military did. What was ironic and made Hobby's view all the more unpopular was the fact that Dr. Salk, refused to patent his vaccine and gave it free to all. (See {628275}.) The only cost that was required was for the small amout that had to be paid to the manufacturers to produce the vaccine. The the government cost was very small.
Oveta Culp Hobby was the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, first director of the Women's Army Corps, and a chairperson of the board of the Houston Post.
