The classroom shimmered back into view, the students blinking as they readjusted to their surroundings. Many of them looked shaken by what they had just witnessed in Mik's life.

Zara's hair flashed an angry red. "I still can't believe healthcare wasn't a basic right in 2045. I just don't understand how an 8-year-old boy couldn't get the treatment he needed. It's... it's barbaric!"

Aiden nodded, his photosynthetic skin paling with shock. "To think that a family would consider breaking up just to access medical care... it's heartbreaking."

"The disparity in access to healthcare was indeed one of the most contentious issues of the time," X9 continued. "It was a stark example of the growing wealth inequality that plagued society."

Kai, usually quiet, spoke up, their voice trembling with emotion. "How did people accept this? Didn't they protest? Didn't they demand change?"

X9's tone was somber. "Many did, Kai. There were constant protests, political movements, and grassroots efforts to change the system. But change was slow, hampered by entrenched interests and complex political realities."

X9's holographic form flickered thoughtfully. "To understand this better, let's take a closer look at the healthcare system of 2045."

The classroom dissolved, reforming into a crowded hospital corridor. Patients lined the hallways, some on gurneys, others sitting on the floor. Overworked medical staff rushed back and forth, clearly overwhelmed.

The air felt stuffy and carried the sharp scent of disinfectant mixed with human distress. The students could feel the frenetic energy of overworked medical staff rushing past them.

"Healthcare in 2045 was in a critical state," X9 explained. "Access to quality care often depended on one's financial status."

Lian's adaptive clothing rippled with distress. "You mean... people couldn't get help just because they were poor?"

"Unfortunately, yes," X9 confirmed. "Observe the contrast."

The view split, showing a spotless, high-tech medical facility. A doctor in an expensive suit was making a house call to a luxurious penthouse, using advanced diagnostic tools that looked like something out of science fiction.

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Zara's hair flashed an angry red. "That's not fair! How could they let people suffer while others got special treatment?"

Aiden nodded, his photosynthetic skin paling with shock. "I can't believe healthcare wasn't a basic right."

"The disparity in access to healthcare was indeed one of the most contentious issues of the time," X9 continued. "It was a stark example of the growing wealth inequality that plagued society."

Kai, usually quiet, spoke up, their voice trembling with emotion. "How... how did people live like this? Knowing that their health, their lives, depended on how much money they had?"

X9's tone was somber. "It was a harsh reality for many. This inequity in healthcare access was a driving factor in the social unrest of the period and would play a significant role in the changes to come."

The students exchanged horrified glances, the reality of such a divided world sinking in. The idea that money could determine whether someone lived or died was utterly foreign to their 2065 sensibilities, making the injustice of the 2045 world all the more shocking.

"But why?" Lian asked, her clothing shifting to display question marks. "Why didn't the government do something about it?"

X9 nodded, appreciating the question. "The reasons were complex. Political gridlock, powerful lobbying groups, and deeply entrenched systems all played a role. Many people fought for change, but progress was slow."

The scene shifted again, showing a montage of protests, political debates, and families struggling with medical bills.

"It's important to remember," X9 continued, "that many people in 2045 were working tirelessly to change this system. Mik's family's situation was not unique, and it fueled a growing movement for healthcare reform."

Zara's hair had shifted to a determined orange. "So what changed? How did we get from that to our system now?"

X9's expression became enigmatic. "That, students, is tied closely to the events we're about to witness. The Paradigm Shift of 2045 had far-reaching consequences, including a complete overhaul of global healthcare systems."

Kai leaned forward, their amber eyes intense. "The sky phenomena... are they connected to these changes?"

"An astute observation, Kai," X9 said, a hint of approval in its voice. "As we continue Mik's story, pay close attention to how global events intersect with personal experiences. The coming changes would affect every aspect of society, including healthcare."

As the classroom began to fade back into Mik's world, the students found themselves viewing the family's struggles through new eyes. The desperation of Mik's parents, the offers of help from Shae, all took on new meaning in light of the systemic inequalities they now understood.

"Remember," X9's voice echoed as the immersion resumed, "history is made not just by grand gestures and pivotal moments, but by the daily struggles and choices of ordinary people. Mik's family's fight for Alex's life is part of a larger story of human resilience and the long journey towards a more just society."

With that, the students found themselves once again in Mik's world, eager to see how the coming changes would affect not just this one family, but the entire structure of the society they lived in.