The Tragic Case That Inspired the Policy
In the 1980s, Dr. Marius Barnard operated on a 34-year-old divorced mother of two young children who had lung cancer.
The surgery was a medical success. She was discharged in 5 days and back at work in 3 weeks. Two years later, she walked back in—pale, emaciated, and critically ill.
The doctor asked: "Why are you working when you can barely walk?"
She replied: "Doctor, I need the money to pay rent, buy food, and raise my kids."
She passed away weeks later. The life insurance only paid out after she was buried. Dr. Barnard reflected:
"If only the money had been paid upon diagnosis, she wouldn't have had to work herself to death! We need an insurance that pays people while they are still alive!"