This analysis will demonstrate that PMACHC’s goals and methods are not merely practical solutions to a health crisis but a philosophical recommitment to the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the writings of James Madison and his contemporaries. By ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive, PMACHC seeks to fulfill the founders’ vision of a democratic republic rooted in liberty, equality, and the common good.

1. The Declaration of Independence: Unalienable Rights and the Pursuit of Flourishing

The Declaration of Independence, penned in 1776, asserts a foundational American belief:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

PMACHC explicitly invokes this promise, arguing that America’s children are being denied these rights due to systemic health challenges:

• Life: The document highlights rising chronic disease rates (e.g., childhood obesity increasing from 17% to 21%) and a mortality rate 1.8 times higher than in peer nations, signaling a threat to the basic right to life.

• Liberty: Structural disadvantages—toxic stress, food insecurity, and inadequate prenatal care—limit children’s freedom to develop their full potential, constraining their future autonomy.

• Pursuit of Happiness: PMACHC emphasizes that survival is insufficient; true happiness requires fostering “core capabilities” like planning, focus, and self-control, which enable individuals to lead purpose-driven lives.

The commission’s focus on the first 1,000 days aligns with the Declaration’s proactive spirit. By targeting this “critical window” to create health rather than merely treat disease (via its salutogenic approach), PMACHC seeks to secure the conditions for human flourishing—echoing the founders’ belief that government’s purpose is to protect and enable these unalienable rights. The assertion that “every child has the opportunity to flourish, not just survive” directly ties the commission’s mission to the Declaration’s vision of equality and individual potential.

2. The U.S. Constitution: Democracy and the General Welfare

The U.S. Constitution establishes a democratic republic designed to balance individual liberty with collective well-being. Its Preamble outlines the government’s aims:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution...”

PMACHC reflects these goals through its citizen-led approach and emphasis on collective action for child health:

• We the People: The commission’s deliberative frameworks—Citizen Brief, Medical Case Presentation, and Citizen Commission—empower citizens to shape policy, embodying the constitutional ideal of government derived from the consent of the governed.

• Promote the General Welfare: By addressing systemic health crises (e.g., mental health disorders and chronic illnesses), PMACHC promotes the well-being of the nation’s “Posterity,” ensuring future generations inherit a stronger society.

• Secure the Blessings of Liberty: The focus on equipping children with capabilities for thriving lives ensures they can exercise liberty meaningfully, participating as active citizens in the republic.

Unlike the federal government’s top-down “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, PMACHC’s bottom-up strategy emphasizes local participation and community solutions, aligning with the Constitution’s commitment to a government responsive to its people. This democratic counterweight reclaims the founders’ vision of a participatory polity where citizens, not just elites, drive change.

3. James Madison and the Federalist Papers: A National Strategy with Local Roots

James Madison, a key architect of the Constitution, argued in the Federalist Papers for a strong federal government to protect individual rights and manage societal challenges. In Federalist No. 10, he contends that a large republic can mitigate the dangers of factions by diluting their influence:

“The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it; the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party... Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens...”

PMACHC’s call for a “new national health strategy” reflects Madison’s logic: systemic issues like child health disparities require coordinated action across sectors (healthcare, education, housing) and regions to ensure equitable outcomes. The commission’s multi-sector action plan and national demonstration projects (e.g., The Montco First 1000 Days Initiative) embody this federalist approach, aiming to protect every child’s rights through unified effort.

Yet, PMACHC also balances this national vision with local empowerment, resonating with Anti-Federalist concerns about centralized power. Figures like Brutus warned in Anti-Federalist writings that a distant government might overlook local needs and infringe on liberties. PMACHC addresses this by rooting its work in “community-based solutions” and “local platforms,” ensuring citizens retain agency and tailor interventions to their contexts. This dual structure—national coordination paired with local control—mirrors the federalist compromise of the Constitution, harmonizing Madison’s vision with Anti-Federalist principles.

4. Cultivating Citizens: Madison, Virtue, and Opportunity

Madison and other founders believed an educated, virtuous citizenry was essential for the republic’s survival. In Federalist No. 55, Madison notes:

“As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust, so there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.”

PMACHC’s emphasis on fostering “core capabilities”—planning, focus, self-control, awareness, and flexibility—during the first 1,000 days aligns with this view. These skills, grounded in neuroscience and psychology, prepare children to be responsible citizens capable of contributing to civic life. By integrating them into early-life policies, the commission lays the foundation for a virtuous populace, fulfilling the founders’ educational ideal.

The commission’s broader focus on “opportunity” also reflects the Declaration’s assertion that “all men are created equal.” This equality is not static but dynamic—a call to remove barriers so every individual can pursue their potential. PMACHC’s vision of “a fair shot at thriving” for every child extends this principle, ensuring that health and capability, not just birthright, define one’s prospects in the republic.

5. Technology and Enlightenment Ideals: Reason for the Common Good

While the founders could not foresee AI or modern technology, their Enlightenment-inspired faith in reason and progress underpins PMACHC’s innovative tools. The commission’s AI-powered Salutogenic Assistant and Whole Person Salutogenic Assistant aim to empower citizens and improve health outcomes, reflecting the constitutional mandate to “promote the general Welfare.” This use of technology to provide “accessible, real-time support” for families aligns with the founders’ belief in harnessing knowledge for societal benefit.

However, PMACHC’s commitment to “care, transparency, and ethical intention” in deploying technology echoes the founders’ wariness of unchecked power. Just as Madison advocated checks and balances to prevent tyranny, the commission ensures AI serves the people, not the reverse, preserving the democratic ethos of the American experiment.

Conclusion: A Reaffirmation of the American Project

The People’s Commission to Make Our Children Healthy is both a practical initiative and a philosophical statement, deeply rooted in the political thought of the U.S. founders. Its justification lies in its alignment with their ideals:

• Declaration of Independence: It seeks to fulfill unalienable rights by ensuring every child can live, enjoy liberty, and pursue happiness through a healthy start.

• U.S. Constitution: It embodies democracy and the general welfare through citizen-led governance and systemic action.

• Madison and the Federalist Papers: It balances a national strategy with local empowerment, reflecting federalist principles and Anti-Federalist concerns.

• Virtue and Opportunity: It cultivates capable citizens and equal chances, honoring the founders’ vision of a thriving republic.

• Enlightenment Legacy: It leverages technology ethically, extending the founders’ commitment to reason and progress.

PMACHC is not just a commission but “a public recommitment”—a declaration that child well-being is a civic virtue and the first act of democracy. By addressing the health crisis of America’s youngest citizens, it renews the nation’s promise to secure liberty and opportunity for all, proving that the founders’ philosophy remains a living guide for contemporary challenges.

A Call to Action

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, PMACHC invites all Americans to join this movement. Ensuring every child has a healthy start is not just a moral imperative—it is a recommitment to the nation’s founding promise. Together, we can build a future where every child thrives, and democracy flourishes.

Nation at a Crossroads

America faces a profound health crisis: chronic illness is rising, children’s health is deteriorating, and our healthcare system remains reactive rather than preventive, focused more on treating disease than fostering well-being. Without bold action, the next generation of American children will inherit not only declining health but also weakened economic stability and national security.

Recognizing this crisis, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Chair. The Commission, composed of senior cabinet members, has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the nation’s health status and developing policy recommendations to improve the well-being of all Americans.

However, government efforts alone are insufficient to address this challenge. True transformation requires a paradigm shift—one that moves beyond merely treating illness to proactively creating health. This shift must also recognize that democracy requires active citizen engagement and a truly free press that fosters deliberation and crowdsourced decision-making.

At Moonshot Press we believe that any lasting impact on America’s health must begin at the very start of life. The First 1000 Days—from conception to a child’s second birthday—form a critical window for lifelong health, cognitive development, and social well-being.

That is why Project 2026 is launching The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy—a citizen-driven initiative that empowers communities to take ownership of health policy, reimagine public health strategies, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Executive Order by the People of the United States

Establishing The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy

Issued under the authority vested in us as citizens by the Constitution of the United States and the enduring principles of democracy, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Section 1: Purpose

Ensuring the health and well-being of America’s youngest citizens is vital to our nation’s future—its prosperity, strength, and democratic resilience. Scientific evidence affirms that the first 1,000 days of life—from preconception to a child’s second birthday—are foundational to brain development, lifelong physical and mental health, and future economic mobility.

Despite decades of public investment, too many American children and families continue to face preventable disparities in healthcare, nutrition, education, and community support during these early years. To secure a flourishing future, we must act now with urgency, vision, and unity.

This Executive Order establishes The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy as a citizen-led initiative under Project 2026, launching a comprehensive national strategy rooted in research, technology, and civic engagement. The Commission will serve as both a policy catalyst and a public platform to ensure that every child in America—regardless of zip code or background—has a chance to thrive.

Section 2: Establishment and Governance

(a) The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy is hereby established as a citizen-led body grounded in the authority of democratic self-governance and collective responsibility for the nation’s future.

(b) The Commission shall be coordinated by a Citizen Chair and supported by an Executive Secretariat housed within Project 2026. It shall be composed of citizen proxies representing the essential functions of key federal agencies and policy domains.

(c) Each citizen commissioner shall serve as a public steward of the values and responsibilities traditionally associated with the following federal entities (including, but not limited to):

(d) Additional citizen commissioners may be appointed to reflect expertise in civil society, caregiving, faith-based initiatives, indigenous and rural health, public media, AI and technology, and youth leadership.

(e) This Commission shall function as a living model of democratic innovation, integrating citizen expertise, local knowledge, and cross-sector collaboration to inform public policy, evaluate system performance, and guide investment in the first 1,000 days of life.

(f) The Commission shall maintain formal relationships with government institutions while operating independently to represent the public interest and to pilot citizen-led approaches that complement and challenge top-down policy.

Section 3: Mandates and Deliverables

The Commission shall:

1. Develop and maintain a comprehensive strategic plan grounded in the science of the first 1,000 days of life.

2. Produce an annual report to the American people on the state of early childhood health, identifying gaps and progress.

3. Launch and evaluate pilot projects in partnership with local communities, starting with the Montco First 1,000 Days Initiative.

4. Coordinate a national action agenda across agencies and stakeholders, emphasizing the factors that contribute to flourishing individuals.

5. Incorporate artificial intelligence tools to enhance evidence-based knowledge, care coordination, service access, and predictive analytics to promote well-being.

Section 4: Core Strategic Components

1. Knowledge and Research Development

• Create the Salutogenic Knowledge Base.

• Identify and map knowledge gaps and opportunities across agencies such as NIH, AHRQ, and NLM.

• Conduct a national review of policies and services related to prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care.
  

2. Pilot Programs and Innovation

• Implement AI-powered personal health assistants and the My Healthy Montco PA platform.

• Deploy telehealth tools that promote a whole-person approach to health creation during the first 1,000 days of life.

• Leverage predictive analytics to drive decision-making.
  

3. Cross-Sector Policy and Support

• Promote policies informed by evidence-based content.

• Evaluate current programs such as nutrition initiatives (WIC, school meals, “Food as Medicine”) and Early Head Start and family engagement efforts.
  

4. Transparency and Citizen Engagement

• Launch a public data platform for maternal and child health indicators at individual and community levels.

• Host regular in-person and video-facilitated public hearings and town halls.

• Publish Moonshot Press citizen briefs and progress updates to inform and involve the public.
  

Section 5: Implementation Timeline

The work of The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy shall be guided by a phased implementation plan:

• Phase One: February 15th – March 30, 2026
    Commission launch, public forums, and data infrastructure setup.

• Phase Two: April 1st, 2026- April 30th, 2026
    Interim report outlining the current available knowledge base associated with healthy children.

• Phase Three: May 1st, 2026 – June 1st , 2026
    Pilot sites launched; national strategic framework developed.

• Phase Four: June 1st – September, 2026
    Scale innovations; integrate into state and federal programs.

Section 6: Funding and Coordination

The People’s Commission is self-funded and utilizes current federal agency assumptions to assess the cost of its recommendations.

(a) The Office of Management and Budget shall prioritize federal funding aligned with PMACHC’s goals and provide a detailed budget proposal.

(b) The Government Accountability Office shall assess program efficiency and make recommendations for improvement, including a financial assessment of the plans generated.

(c) The People’s Commission shall work in coordination with federal agencies, and with state, tribal, and local governments to ensure alignment and reduce duplication.

(d) The effort will be coordinated with the Surgeon General and other individuals and organizations within the First 1,000 Days of Life ecosystem.

Section 7: A New Social Contract for Children

This People’s Executive Order represents a national recommitment to our youngest generation. It reaffirms that health is not merely the absence of disease but the presence of conditions that allow children and families to flourish. This initiative embodies a new model of governance—where citizens are not just stakeholders but co-creators of public purpose.

Section 8: The Role of The People’s Department of Government Excellence (PDOGE)

To ensure that the efforts of The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy are embedded within a broader movement for democratic accountability and institutional excellence, this Executive Order recognizes the critical support of The People’s Department of Government Excellence (PDOGE)—a core innovation of Project 2026.

PDOGE represents the next evolution in bureaucratic reform. Its mission is to assess, inspire, and guide government performance through the lens of human flourishing—not just efficiency. It provides an open framework through which citizens evaluate public institutions based on how well they promote the health, freedom, capability, and dignity of individuals and families.

Specifically, PDOGE will:

1. Conduct Comprehensive Evaluations
     Map and analyze existing federal programs, policies, and agency missions that affect early childhood health during the first 1,000 days of life.

2. Align Public Systems with Human-Centered Outcomes
     Develop performance standards and values-based metrics to ensure government agencies are empowering families, not merely administering services.

3. Facilitate Participatory Oversight
     Invite the public to engage in setting expectations, monitoring effectiveness, and co-creating solutions through digital tools, deliberative forums, and collaborative research.

4. Support Integration Across The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy Domains
     Serve as the Commission’s policy and performance partner, ensuring interagency collaboration, transparency, and outcome-based reform.

This alignment between PDOGE and PCMOCH reflects a new paradigm of governance—one led by the people, evaluated by the people, and constantly improved in service to the people.

Section 9: Digital Technology and AI: Pilot Programs and Innovation

• Utilize AI and digital tools for the Commission’s work.

• Develop AI tools to enhance citizen engagement.

• Implement AI-powered agents to ensure representation of various stakeholders.

We the People Declare:
The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy is not just a policy mechanism. It is a national movement—a citizen-powered engine for building a flourishing future grounded in health, equity, opportunity, and democratic renewal.

Let this be the generation that said:
We cared. We listened. We acted.

For our children, and for our democracy.

A Call to Action: Join the Commission

America’s future depends on the health and well-being of its youngest citizens. But ensuring that every child has the opportunity to flourish requires all of us—parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and engaged citizens.

The time for action is now.

Join The People's Commission to Make Our Children Healthy and Project 2026 in a bold, citizen-driven movement to reshape the future of American child health and restore democracy, opportunity, and citizenship as guiding principles for a thriving nation.

Together, we can make America’s children healthy again—and in doing so, secure the future of our democracy.

Subscribe now