page_title: Manuel de la Pila Iglesias
section_title: Medical insurance legislation
hierarchical_section_title: Manuel de la Pila Iglesias / Medical insurance legislation
caption_attribution_description: English: The new Dr. Pila Hospital (now, Hospital Metropolitano Dr. Pila on Avenida Las Americas (PR-163) looking NE, in Barrio Canas Urbano, Ponce, Puerto Rico
context_page_description: Manuel de la Pila Iglesias was a Puerto Rican physician practicing in Ponce, Puerto Rico, who specialized in a half-dozen medical specialities. He founded a medical clinic in Ponce that grew into a large medical center. Pila Iglesias is considered "one of the giants of Puerto Rican medicine". He was also one of the leaders behind the development of the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico.
context_section_description: Pila Iglesias' efforts at the Puerto Rico Legislature resulted in the first medical insurance plan in the island: Cruz Azul de Puerto Rico.  The plan provided help to working people and middle class individuals in the payment of medical expenses.
caption: The new Hospital Dr. Pila (now, Hospital Metropolitano Dr. Pila) on Avenida Las Americas (PR-163) looking NE in Barrio Canas Urbano, Ponce
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