In 1973, Caspar Weinberger - the secretary of health, education and welfare under President Richard Nixon - issued a memo to state officials that "directed a review of guidelines in order to protect rights of individuals in cases of sterilization."
The text of the letter reads:
"Secretary Weinberger has directed a review of guidelines in order to protect rights of individuals in cases of sterilization. He further directed that specific guidelines be developed by July 19 for programs under HEW with regard to legally incompetent individuals and minors. The Secretary has directed the regional directors to contact governors and request that they discontinue state (including federal funds) support of sterilization of minors and other legally incompetent individuals during the period while that guidelines are being developed. Title XIX is the primary source of federal funds used for sterilization procedures. Although title IV-A provides for family planning services, medical costs are expressly prohibited under regulations effective July 1, 1973, therefore, IV-A funds are not a factor here."
