New accountabilities, challenges for trustees

Trustees can no longer view their responsibilities as passive or symbolic. The health care ministry today demands trustees who can articulate their convictions to colleagues and administration. Clarifying and implementing this new role is a challenge--perhaps even a key to survival--for Catholic health care organizations in the next 10 years. Trustees hold "a charter of public trust" and therefore are accountable to three distinct but concentric constituencies: Society. Socially accountable to trustees must be financially honest, ensure competent administration, and make certain their services enhance the common and social good. Church. Trustees, in being accountable to the Church, must ensure that their organizations comply with canon law and do not violate Church teachings. Religious institute. Trustees must assist religious institutes to ensure that collaboration occurs among Catholic systems and facilities as well as with all persons of good will. From these three forces flow five crucial challenges for trustees of Catholic health care organizations: Ensure that their organization's allocations for charity care are specific and clear to maintain not-for-profit, tax-exempt status. Lower costs but ensure high-quality care. Champion issues of economic social justice, especially access to health care. Work to manifest Christ's mission in the world. Commit to collaboration with all other Catholic organizations in such a way as to serve people in the most effective manner. Seeing God as the center of these challenges can help trustees and providers to move mountains.