Orange County Trade Eastern Europe

When Hevka Sramek was born in Czechoslovakia in 1936, that country's health care system was one of the best in Europe. Then came World War II and more than four decades of Communist control. Sramek took political refuge in the United States in 1964. She returned to her homeland for a visit in 1988. In those 24 years, Sramek said, the medical system had deteriorated badly. "Everything was ready to collapse," she said, recalling her visit.

When Hevka Sramek was born in Czechoslovakia in 1936, that country's health care system was one of the best in Europe. Then came World War II and more than four decades of Communist control. Sramek took political refuge in the United States in 1964. She returned to her homeland for a visit in 1988. In those 24 years, Sramek said, the medical system had deteriorated badly. "Everything was ready to collapse," she said, recalling her visit.