Courtney & I have, since our move from the Belgian healthcare system to an American one, been painfully reminded of how advanced and fantastic the European system is compared to the American. In Belgium, we paid a total of about 100 euro per year for practically free health care. Dental care for children is free (until the age of 18), and basic dental care for adults is not much more. A visit to the doctor or the hospital costs a few euro, and child birth is sanctioned by the government so that having a child will actually add to your bank account! Here in Egypt under the American employment system, the university takes over $300 every month out of our pay check for health insurance, and someone recently told us that we have a $2000 deductable, which I sincerely hope is not true - we’re looking into it. Our insurance here doesn’t even cover dental care. August has been having a bit of trouble with his teeth since we got here, and getting fillings has proven to be quite an expensive affair. Of course we paid more in taxes in Belgium but we also made more money to make up for it. Granted, William got emergency stitches done in the middle of the desert for only 50 LE (about $8), but again, in Belgium it would have been free!
When we decided to move from Belgium, I honestly didn’t think about the healthcare system as an argument to stay, but next time we move it will certainly be a factor; we definitely prefer the European system.
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