 Actual statistics from "The World Health Report 2000 - Health systems: Improving performance." The U. S. health system spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product than any other country but ranks #37 out of 191 countries according to its performance. However, the US ranks #1 in health expenditure per capita; While Belgium ranks 21th in the overall health system performance and 15th in the health expenditure per capita.
Belgium has had a health care system based on obligatory health insurance since 1945. This involves and independent medical practices, "free choice of health care provider" by the paitient and a "fee-for-service" payment of providers, with reimbursement. Only around 60 % of hospitals in Belgium are non-profit private institutions and the rest are public. Another plus in the Belgium healthcare system is that there is no referral system for specialists (patients can see them directly) and this way there is not a long wait for access to see them. Home to the European Union, Belgium is the quintessential European country. Wedged between France, Holland and Germany, it has been heavily influenced by all three of its neighbors to the point where there is no Belgian language. People speak French, Dutch, or German. Because of its strategic location, Belgium was the site of many battles during the Napoleonic Wars and both world wars yet, somehow, the tiny nation managed to survive all of the devastation.
A center of commerce since the Middle Ages, Belgium is now one of the most prosperous nations in Europe. The cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi and Liege have some of the highest population densities in Europe, yet at the same time they are among some of the world's most livable cities. The people of Belgium, much like their neighbors in France, are known for their zest for life and love of culture- especially cuisine. You may be aware of Belgian waffles and chocolates, but did you know that French fries come from Belgium too? Or that Belgian beer is as revered by connoisseurs as that of Germany? This is the beauty of Belgium, a quiet gem of a country welcoming to visitors. |
