Paul Krugman: America’s Unlevel Field

[JDPriestly]

4. Had two babies in Europe.

The pre-natal care was unbelievably good. A doctor calls the pregnant women in the community together and tells them about things like good nutrition, how to raise their children.

Back then at least, a pregnant woman received a health care booklet in which her doctor wrote down all the important health information for the child -- prenatal visits, then data about the birth, then the visits -- newborn, three months, etc. The doctor wrote all the vital information, the baby's weight and special needs, tests done, illnesses . . . . Everything was recorded by hand. The mother kept the book and brought it to the doctor's office when the baby and child needed care.

My doctors discussed things like diet, etc. with me. Sitting in the waiting room when my first baby was about three months, I noticed that my baby was much, much smaller than the other babies of the same age waiting with me. Nervous as to whether my baby was OK, I asked the doctor why my baby was so small when all the other babies were so large. She paused, looked me up and down and said, "Why, look at you."

The European system is not one size fits all, but doctors really seemed to care about patients. They were less involved in collecting bills and worrying about whether they would be able to pay next month's rent on their offices. At least that was my impression.

That was many years ago -- before free trade and derivatives schemes destroyed the hopes and dreams of the middle class in Europe and the US. I don't know if it would be as good now.

And, by the way, we had a lower income.