Congressman Henry Hyde wrote to his colleagues in 1998 as complaints about the Healthy Families program began to be heard in Washington.

"A nationwide computerized data system referred to as the ‘Program Information Management System’ tracks the development of newborns including medical and psychological records and family relationships. This information can be combined with preschool and public school tracking systems when children enter the education system. The education information which includes personal files can eventually become available to future employers. Newborns will be tracked from cradle to grave….

"This is ‘big brother’ intervention as we have never seen it before. It is a case of the ‘village’ mentality run wild. Americans have never experienced such intrusion in their family lives."

In his letter, Hyde, who Chairs the House Judiciary Committee, expressed feelings of betrayal after Congress had appropriated millions for "Family Preservation and Support Services" through the year 2001.

"Unfortunately, most members of Congress were not aware of the inherent dangers of this program. Preventing child abuse is admirable and removing children from homes where abuse is indicated is necessary. However, using Family Preservation and Support Services to investigate every first-time parent in America in an effort to identify the troubled ones exceeds any authority previously given to any government agency," he wrote.

"While this program is voluntary, how long before they push to make it mandatory?" he asked his colleagues.

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