Rise of Empires: Spain.

Chapter 589 The Initial Significance of Insurance
February 6, 1917, eastern suburbs of Madrid, the capital of Spain.

Over the years, with the development of Madrid's industry, factories have sprung up in the eastern suburbs, interspersed with many simple, low-rent housing units for workers.

The grayish-white smoke billowing from the factory chimneys blended with the gray rooftops, as if draping the city in a thick gray blanket.

Inside a house in the workers' quarters, Rafael Sanchez frowned as he counted the few dozen pesetas left in the house. His daughter Clara lay on the bed beside him, her face flushed and even slightly steamy.

“This money should be enough to call a doctor. I won’t give up on you, Clara.” Raphael Sanchez, his eyes red and swollen, packed up the several dozen pesetas in his hand, looked at his wife Martha, and said with unconcealed grief, “It’s just that I can’t keep my promise. It seems that I’ll have to buy you the clothes I promised you next time.”

Martha shook her head, looking at her daughter with pity, and said with heartache, "Clothes are nothing compared to Clara. Let's save our precious daughter first."

However, we haven't finished paying Dr. Kingsley's last consultation fee. Even if we can get him to come, will we have enough money for Clara's medication?

"Regardless, let's call Dr. Kingsley first. As for the cost of the medicine, I'll figure something out." Rafael Sanchez clenched the pisetta in his hand with some helplessness. This was his salary for the month, and he was the only one in his family of three who had a job.

His wife, Martha, used to work in a factory, but the factory laid her off after she became pregnant.

Although the factory lost money because of this, it was only two months' worth of Masha's earnings, which was obviously insignificant compared to a job.

The money was quickly used for Masha's production and Clara's subsequent growth. Rafael Sanchez was able to support his family and even save some money by working alone.

Rafael Sanchez's savings were almost depleted after his beloved daughter Clara fell ill and several doctor visits. The few dozen pesetas he had left were only because the factory had recently paid him a salary.

"Didn't the government say that starting from the 15th of last month, they would be piloting a universal health insurance policy in Madrid and Barcelona?"

"I remember when they were promoting these policies, the government said that those of us who paid insurance could get reimbursed for medical expenses, and they could even pay for our medical bills in advance," Martha asked with a hint of doubt.

Although they were not so willing to pay for medical insurance, at least they did pay it, and the government can't go back on its word, right?
“It’s not that simple.” Rafael Sanchez shook his head with a wry smile and explained to his wife, “Even if medical insurance really works, we’ve only just paid the premiums. Can we really expect the insurance company to cover our medical expenses right now?”

And let's not forget the greed of those capitalists. No matter how good the government's promises are, I don't believe insurance companies will unconditionally advance our medical expenses, let alone reimburse treatment costs.

"This is just a trick played by capitalists and some government officials." Raphael Sanchez sighed as he spoke, continuing, "I'd rather keep all that insurance money; at least it could buy some medicine for Clarado."

Hearing her husband's explanation, Martha, who had initially held onto hope for the so-called universal health insurance, had now lost all hope.

However, saving his daughter Clara was the priority at the moment, so the two did not talk much. Rafael Sanchez quickly went out to the clinic and asked the clinic's doctor, Kingsley, to examine Clara.

Thanks to Spain's years of efforts in healthcare, it has indeed become much easier for Spaniards to access medical care.

Basically, each residential area has multiple clinics, and each city has a large-scale hospital. Large cities have multiple hospitals distributed in different parts of the city to ensure that people can get to the hospital or clinic in a shorter time.

As one of the main residential areas for workers, the eastern suburbs of Madrid naturally have a large number of clinics. Dr. Kingsley's clinic was the closest to Rafael Sánchez's family and a place they frequented.

Rafael Sanchez returned to Dr. Kingsley's clinic somewhat bewildered, as he suddenly discovered that the process of visiting the clinic had changed significantly.

The clinic even hired a staff member specifically for registering patient information, and Rafael Sanchez was soon questioned.

"Sir, do you have your insurance card with you?" the employee asked politely.

“No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but does this have anything to do with coming to the clinic?” Rafael Sanchez was stunned. He couldn’t understand why he needed an insurance card to come to the clinic.
The insurance card was issued by the factory after they paid the insurance premiums for all their employees. It clearly stated the insurance premiums paid by Rafael Sanchez's family, the insurance period, and the number of people covered by medical insurance.

As Rafael Sanchez put it, he did not believe that so-called universal healthcare was a genuine policy to benefit the people, but rather that it was just a trick by the government and capitalists.

Rafael Sanchez did not resist the government's policy too much, only because Carlos personally endorsed the health insurance.

After all, Rafael Sánchez believed that even if the Spanish government had some scoundrels who wanted to collude with capitalists to exploit the people, their king would never side with these officials. Either the king was being misled, or this so-called universal health insurance was actually working.

Rafael Sanchez originally thought it was the first type, but now it seems a bit off.
“Of course it’s relevant, sir,” the employee explained with a smile. “Aren’t you aware of the universal health insurance policy the government announced last month?”
As long as you pay the insurance premium, your medical expenses will be covered by the insurance company. Of course, there is a limit to the amount of medical expenses that each person can pay in advance, which is to ensure that more people in need can access these limited resources.

If you have indeed paid your insurance premiums, it's best to bring your insurance card. Otherwise, you'll have to pay for your medical expenses out of pocket, sir.

Hearing what the person in front of him said, Raphael Sanchez stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

He never expected that the government's advertised universal health insurance policy was actually true, and he never expected that a small insurance card could actually cover his medical expenses.

You should know that the insurance premium they paid for their family of three last month was only 0.3 peseta. What can you do with that little money? Just enough for a decent meal.

But now the clinic staff told him that because they paid 0.3 pesetas in insurance premiums last month, his daughter Clara's medical expenses can now be covered by the insurance. Good heavens, what kind of news is this!
Rafael Sanchez was so excited he almost fainted. He grabbed the staff member with a look of excitement on his face and asked again incredulously, "Sir, is what you're saying true? Is this really true?"
All I need is my insurance card to cover medical expenses? Is there anything else I need?

“Please calm down, sir. Of course, all you need is your insurance card, nothing else. But there is a limit to the amount each person can pay upfront for medical expenses. After all, the health insurance policy has just been implemented, and the insurance companies have not yet raised enough funds. I hope you can understand that.” The staff member first calmed Rafael Sanchez down before answering his question with a smile.

“Of course I understand, sir. I’m here to see Dr. Kingsley; my insurance card is at home. Does Dr. Kingsley have time now? If not, I can bring Clara over.” Rafael Sánchez was impatient; he was extremely eager to tell his wife, Martha, the good news, and even more eager to tell all the Spaniards around him that universal health insurance was truly effective.

What I really want to tell them is that their great King Carlo has not been deceived. Universal health insurance is not a trick by the government and capitalists to exploit the people, but a beneficial policy formulated by their greatest king for all Spaniards.

“You’re very lucky, sir. Dr. Kingsley has just returned from a house call, and he should have time now. If you have your insurance card, that’s great; you won’t need to pay anything for it. I’ll go and fetch Dr. Kingsley right away.” The staff member was also pleased with Rafael Sanchez’s good fortune.

This not only means that Rafael Sanchez's daughter's medical expenses are covered, but also that Dr. Kingsley now has time, and Rafael Sanchez's daughter will not have to wait a long time to see a doctor.

Much later, at Rafael Sanchez's home.

Dr. Kingsley's previously serious expression relaxed considerably, and he said to Rafael Sanchez with a slight smile, "The good news is that the previous medications have already helped Clara's condition to some extent."

I'll prescribe some more medication for her; this time, remember to take it on time. If all goes well, Clara's condition should improve within a week.”

Hearing Dr. Kingsley's words, Raphael Sanchez finally breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Dr. Kingsley with gratitude and said excitedly, "Thank you so much, Dr. Kingsley. I can't even imagine what would have happened to Clara without you."

“No, buddy, you shouldn’t thank me.” Hearing Raphael Sanchez’s words, Dr. Kingsley shook his head and said with a smile, “You should thank His Majesty the King. It was His Majesty’s health insurance policy that saved you and your family.”

Rafael Sánchez nodded quite solemnly and said matter-of-factly, "Of course we must thank His Majesty the King. His Majesty Carlos is absolutely the greatest king in Spanish history. I can't imagine what Spain would be like without His Majesty the King. He is the savior of all Spaniards and the hero of all Spaniards."

Similar scenes continue to unfold across Spain. As more and more people personally benefit from the health insurance policy, they finally understand the good intentions of Carlo and the Spanish government.

Because Carlo endorsed healthcare policies at crucial moments, people have become increasingly grateful to him, even regarding him as a deity.

If newspapers and media outlets were to compile statistics on Carlo's popularity, they would be surprised to find that the Spanish people have extremely high support for the monarchy and for Carlo, with many even becoming his devoted followers.

Since then, there has been no one in Madrid and Barcelona who opposes the health insurance policy; people understand that such a policy is truly for the good of all Spaniards.

Although a fee is required to be paid for health insurance each month, the fee is not much and is well within the acceptable range for most people.

As for those who are truly unable to afford medical insurance, the royal family also has corresponding relief measures, such as providing free medical insurance to extremely poor families to ensure that all the poor in Spain can also enjoy certain medical services.

　Third update of 3400 words, please support!
　　The daily target of 10,000 was successfully achieved on the third day, and seven days are still to be completed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)