there isnt anything like 'universal health care' in belize. depending on where you are going, there isnt any healthcare at all. Overall, the basic medical care is VERY reasonable, and quite good. I've had friends who have had many medical incidents (clutsy, unhealthy group of young people i guess!) and in at least two cases, young people (30's) would have died without the amazing private health care in Belize City.
It is private, but the cost of it is so reasonable compared to what you are used to.
having said that, i do carry major medical insurance which includes medivacing me out of here if i need it. While the doctors i've dealth with (stayed overnight twice to stay with friends who were VERY VERY sick) are AMAZING, caring and very qualified, i wouldnt want to be treated for open heart surgery, brain surgery, or have a limb reattached here. If i needed any kind of reconstructive plastic surgery, i woudlnt have that here either.
i'm generally alone in the feelign on the health insurance. But i've broken 8 bones (seperate incidents), i've had a car accident in which i was "scalped" (skin tore off my face from middle of eyelids up to mid scalp), and had more surgeries for dumb shit than i can tell ya....so statistically, i believe "it can happen to me" as opposed to 'it cant happen to me'.
I use BUPA. i strongly recommend it....so much so, i get downright cranky about it!