Assembly survey shows some open to change; others remain wary
A large percentage of respondents to a recent CHA survey say they are aware of some of the new organizational models emerging in Catholic health care, and most of those surveyed say the models could positively impact the Catholic health ministry. Most who responded to the survey at the Catholic Health Assembly in June also say they would support CHA changing its membership criteria to include such organizational models.
These and other survey results were shared recently with the Membership Study Committee that is evaluating potential changes to CHA's membership structure. With structures changing in Catholic health care, some organizations no longer fit CHA's current membership criteria. The task force is studying the implications of expanding CHA's membership criteria to allow these organizations to remain with or join the association.
The committee commissioned a white paper on the emerging models. The paper's author, theologian M. Therese Lysaught, presented the piece, "Caritas in Communion: Theological Foundations of Catholic Health Care," at the Catholic Health Assembly. The white paper examines the theological underpinnings of Catholic identity in Catholic health care, the principle of moral cooperation and the concept of for-profit and not-for-profit status. That paper is summarized in the July-August 2013 issue of Health Progress.
In addition to releasing the white paper at the assembly, the committee conducted the survey at the gathering to determine CHA members' opinions of the issues the group is examining. More than 200 people responded (more than 1,000 attended the assembly). Of the respondents, 86 percent said they are aware of at least some of the new organizational models emerging in the ministry; 83 percent said they understand the reason for the development of the new models; 73 percent agreed or agreed strongly that the new models could positively impact the ministry; and 71 percent agreed or agreed strongly that they would support CHA changing its membership criteria to include some of the new models.
The committee will survey the ministry again at the 2014 assembly in Chicago.
In the meantime, the committee is preparing to learn about the "lived experiences" of ministry organizations that have converted to for-profit status or that no longer fit the current CHA membership criteria.
In 2015, after getting member feedback, the committee will present its final recommendations regarding membership criteria to the CHA Board of Trustees. If changes to the CHA membership criteria are recommended by the board, they will be presented to the Membership Assembly for vote at the June 2015 assembly.
Member comments from the survey
In the survey administered at the Catholic Health Assembly in June in Anaheim, Calif., CHA's Membership Study Committee invited respondents to write in comments on changing organizational structures and potential changes to CHA membership criteria.
Among the comments submitted:
- "Our world is changing, and we need to adapt and be more inclusive."
- "The CHA must be proactive and recognize the changing landscape for Catholic health care. The membership criteria should be crafted to embrace organizations who continue to live out Catholic teachings and values, regardless of 'corporate structure.'"
- "Evangelize — invite the world!"
- "I would want any organization to always be faithful to the values of CHA."
- "The stability of the models will need to be tested over time. I think that will be a challenge, but something we should face openly."
- "Catholic health care embraces diversity. I believe anyone who is interested in joining the CHA should be allowed to do so. Perhaps different levels of membership could be established."
- "Inclusion of for-profit systems within CHA will erode Catholic identity and culture within these systems and within CHA."
- "We have a rich heritage that must be preserved and while I believe strongly in responding to changing times I do not agree that including for-profits is beneficial or in keeping with our mission."
- "I have not been able to reconcile the presence of for-profit venues with the drive of Catholic mission. It is my concern that long term these models hijack the very core of Catholic ministry in pursuit of profits and investor return."