The Lawfare Podcast Lawfare Daily: Hillary Hartley and David Eaves on 18F, Its Origin, Legacy, and Lesson
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Apr 4, 2025 
Hillary Hartley, former Chief Digital Officer of Ontario, and David Eaves, Associate Professor of Digital Government, dive deep into the rise and fall of 18F, a pioneering digital services team within the U.S. federal government. They explore its critical role in modernizing technology during crises like the healthcare.gov launch and reflect on the lessons learned from its closure. The duo discusses the importance of in-house talent and user-centered design, advocating for reforms to revitalize government operations and enhance citizen engagement.
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Origins of 18F
- 18F's creation stemmed from events like the healthcare.gov failure and a government shutdown in 2013.
- These events highlighted the need for improved digital services within the government.
Government and the Internet
- Governments struggled to adapt to the internet's impact on citizen interaction.
- The shift to online services created a disconnect between government and the public.
Insourcing the Mission
- Outsourcing core government missions creates issues with understanding citizen needs.
- Internal capacity is essential for identifying actual problems and effective solutions.