History: attention to healthcare (1920-1945)

Turntable

The National Union slowly helped the Christian mutual societies to get back on their feet. The Bishop of Ghent exempted Arthur Eeckhout from parish service so that he was fully available to the organization. The general secretariat was reorganized and provisionally transferred from Brussels to Ghent .

Thanks to regular contacts with the affiliated and local health insurance companies, the secretariat became the hub of the mutualist movement. The national organization set up new health insurance funds so that a Christian health insurance fund was active in every municipality . The National Union also gained more and more control over the alliances. From 1930 onwards, federations and local greenhouses were obliged to follow his guidelines. If they did not do so, they would no longer be allowed to enjoy national services.

Democratization

Noblemen and church dignitaries, citizens of distinction and large landowners formed the boards of the Christian mutual societies. With a few exceptions, initially only people from the bourgeoisie and the clergy sat on the management council of the Landsbond.

The membership base was very varied : employees, farmers, self-employed people and members of the bourgeoisie were members of a Christian health insurance fund. The contradiction between the board and the members led to tensions. A compromise was reached in 1923. The various levels of government were democratized and from July 1926, representatives of the middle class, the Boerenbond and the ACW, the umbrella organization of Christian employees, were included in the board.

New services

In the period between the wars, the government and health insurance companies paid increasing attention to healthcare. The state often subsidized new services, which is why the Landsbond further expanded its health services. Competition with other health insurance companies also played an important role in this. The medical-pharmaceutical and surgical services continued to develop. Outpatient clinics, sanatoriums and dispensaries were established. The fight against tuberculosis was often central. That is why the Landsbond, with the help of the government, bought a hospital in Mont-sur-Meuse in 1918 and converted it into a sanatorium.

CM also hired nurse visitors . They visited members at home, detected diseases and provided advice on hygiene and health. The first nurses were recruited in 1925, and by 1940 there were 147 active. They were the forerunners of today's social workers.

Difficult years

With the exception of the first months, the Christian health insurance companies were able to continue their activities during the Second World War. Yet they were difficult years. The German occupier made attempts to completely reorganize healthcare. Ultimately, these plans came to nothing.

Representatives of employers, the socialist and Christian trade unions and a number of senior civil servants are now drawing up the outlines of post-war social security. This Social Pact included the introduction of compulsory health insurance. LCM was not involved in the negotiations and felt sidelined. Some board members spoke out against mandatory insurance. This placed the National Union in a difficult position. Ultimately, a narrow majority within LCM voted in favor of the obligation.