History: new lines of action (1976-2006)
Originating from mutual assistance societies, CM has evolved over time into a dynamic organization that is active in many areas. A look back.
Health Insurance Act of 1990
For a long time, the 1894 law served as the basis for the health insurance fund. This finally changed in 1990. The new law stipulates that health insurance funds are associations of natural persons, with the aim of promoting the physical, psychological and social well-being of their members. And this without a profit motive .
The organizational chart of the health insurance funds now contains two levels instead of three: the national associations and the regional associations (which are henceforth called 'health insurance funds'). The local companies lose their legal personality and are absorbed into the health insurance funds.
The internal democracy of the health insurance funds is being strengthened. New procedures determine the composition of the administrative bodies in health insurance funds and national associations. For example, health insurance funds must organize board elections every six years , during which the members determine the composition of the general meeting and the board of directors.
An inspection service now oversees the administrative, financial and accounting operations of health insurance funds and national associations.
Services and movement
CM's additional services were gradually further tailored to new needs and requirements. For example, CM members have been entitled to emergency medical care and assistance abroad since the mid-1980s. To help its members in disputes with healthcare providers, the Legal Aid Service was established after the 1986 congress. Nine years later this was transformed into the Member Defense Service. Home care also received more attention, which resulted in the CM Home Care Plan at the end of the 1990s. New initiatives followed in rapid succession, including the creation of numerous services and benefits for young families ( Skoebidoe ).
When the Flemish health insurance was introduced in 2001, CM set up its own health fund: the CM-Zorgkas Vlaanderen .
In addition, CM continues to strive for accessible and quality healthcare for everyone. The pursuit of a better living situation for the chronically ill and those in need of care is also a constant concern. In this context, the event that took place in Brussels at the end of September 1997 was particularly striking. CM and Ziekenzorg CM mobilized more than thirty thousand people, who demanded measures to benefit the long-term ill and people with disabilities. The demonstration made an impression and did not fall on deaf ears among the government.
Financial responsibility
In 1995, the law on financial responsibility for health insurance funds was introduced. From now on, the health insurance funds themselves must be responsible for any shortages. This put an end to a discussion that had flared up regularly since 1911.