While in the United Kingdom recently, I noted the National Health Service (NHS) passed a new regulation where any woman, after she has ascertained she is pregnant via a home-testing device, will then call her local GP (no choice of a doctor in the U.K., only the nearest one).

Unless she has diabetes or is obese (these are the only exceptions), she will be told that from now on she will be handled by a prescribed midwife. She will also be told that the birth should be at home, not in the hospital.

This is being done to ensure "natural childbirth and dynamics" to quote the NHS ruling. Unfortunately for the government (the liberal Labor Party), this idea did not go over very well with their liberal female voters.

So two weeks later, the NHS announced that after a woman reaches the 25th week of pregnancy she will receive 190 pounds (approximately $275 ) for her to eat "healthier foods."

Now you may think that the births at home are to free up hospital beds, doctors, nurses, etc., and the payoff of money is an inducement to maintain the liberal female vote, but as a government spokesperson said, "Not at all, we are for the women and their babies." But a few folks are still suspicious.

Don't you just love socialized medicine? It is coming here soon.

Robert K. Wallace

Pinehurst