With the right documentation, one could receive tax deductions from the government. If they were trying to get a deduction on medical costs, they would be almost guaranteed to receive it—which allowed a lot of room for abuse.
“By requiring everyone to have insurance, we can remove the loophole used to cheat our administration out of money. Those in good health might see it as a waste, but I think they’ll come to realize that having it will give their lives more stability, in case of the unforeseen.”
The people were commoners and thus didn’t have the same education afforded to aristocrats, but they were still able to think for themselves. They shared the same doctrine and moral values. They would help their neighbors and save money where they could, but these things weren’t enforced. It was up to each individual to make their own choices, which could be a problem in and of itself. Most did not plan for their futures. Many had poor impulse control and would make spur-of-the-moment decisions—some of those financial—even though they knew better. Such was human nature.
It was safer for all to be legally required to participate in the healthcare program for their own sake, rather than leaving it up to individual choice. Then there was no need to wrestle with impulse control, and they could aim their frustrations at the local administration instead.
So this is why he warned them about tax increases.
They had plenty of resources to support the refugees with the national government’s financial backing. Their region still needed people on the ground to organize and attend to miscellaneous jobs, but the government’s aid funded all of that too—even the day laborers. Why frame this tax increase around the refugees, which would only leave a worse impression on the people? That was what initially bothered Miguel.
Nevertheless, he was reevaluating his opinion of the young lordling, seeing more potential in Virgil as future duke than before. Taking in refugees was an irregularity to begin with. Miguel was beginning to understand why Virgil was taking this approach to the refugees and the citizenry. Explaining his intentions well in advance of pushing forward the policy into law would reduce confusion too.
Now this has gotten interesting. Miguel was fortunate not to have experienced any serious wounds or illness, but in his line of work, many of his comrades had been forced to retire for those very reasons. He’d also seen people so desperate to save their money that they’d put off medical treatment and lost their lives.
Can they save people like that with this?
Then Virgil stated his intention for medical attention to be given equally, regardless of social station—which meant aristocrats would receive the same treatment as anyone else. This caused quite the stir in the room.
Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!
Heat built behind Miguel’s eyes, his heart shuddering in his chest. He clenched his hands into fists. An extraordinary surge of energy zipped through his body, powerful enough to make him want to jump up and shout. This was a historic moment, that was for certain. The documents in front of him were proof that Virgil’s proposal wasn’t mere reckless idealism; it was a carefully thought-out plan.
“We’ll probably implement this in three or four years at the earliest,” Virgil continued. “I want to spread word of our intentions and make preparations in the meantime. We’ll use our income from the mines for an initial investment into the healthcare fund.” He was referring to their earnings from sapphires mined in the northern part of the region.
Virgil’s aristocratic relatives frowned in disapproval, concerned about the reduction in their profits.
For their benefit, Virgil called on Claudia to address them. She lifted her wrist, showing off a bracelet. The sapphire sparkled as it caught the light. It was the rarest shade, the extremely valuable Lindsay Blue.
“I’ll be wearing this when I attend the Saint’s Festival,” said Claudia.
Clergy didn’t typically wear accessories, but Claudia was only an attendant. She’d be forgiven for wearing one so long as it wasn’t gaudy. She was acting as a representative for their country, and she was allowed to differentiate herself from the others.
Clever move!
The Lindsays’ relatives treated their Lindsay Blue sapphires as family heirlooms. Claudia wearing one to such a monumental event would massively increase their value, and not one of their relatives could be upset about that, especially because it would boost sapphire prices overall. When people realized they couldn’t snag a Lindsay Blue sapphire for themselves, they would settle for the next best thing.
“I would also like to educate more doctors in anticipation of our policy being put in place,” said Virgil.
“You want to set up a medical school too?!” Miguel blurted out.
“We already lack adequate doctors as things stand, and we’ll need proper education for our officials if we’re going to maintain strict oversight for our healthcare system.”
Insurance systems were often exploited. They would need people with sufficient medical knowledge to perform inspections to prevent that. That also meant some civil officials would need to be educated in the field. Virgil also indicated his desire for increased cultivation of medicinal herbs. The more he explained, the more radical his plan seemed.
Everyone exchanged glances, but none expressed disapproval. This policy had promise. They felt it in their bones.
Not one person in this room could’ve predicted this. Before walking in, they had assumed financial aid would be all they could offer as long-term support. None of them imagined Virgil would offer a plan to everyone’s benefit.
Commoners will be able to go to clinics in the future as they need? If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was pulling my leg!
“Yowch!” cried the old man beside him. Miguel hadn’t realized it, but in his excitement he’d started smacking the back of the elderly fellow, who happened to be the leader of the Farmers’ Guild.
“My bad,” Miguel said, unable to wipe the grin off his face.
With things looking this promising, I can’t kick the bucket anytime soon!
He was anxious to see what the future of this region held, preferably up close. It was a shame he didn’t have a granddaughter around Virgil’s age.
I do have a grandson, though. Maybe the young lord swings that way?
Sometime after that, Virgil discovered that he had one new marriage proposal amid his regular correspondence.