Sure. Motive matters in criminal cases. But, "motive" has a different relevance here.
A recent pitched battle in Nashville erupted when Alive Hospice explored selling the beloved, 48-year-old organization to a for-profit company. A huge segment of the community was horrified, launched a campaign ("Keep Alive alive") and a petition that drew 6000 signatures. The board backed away, fired the CEO and retained their non-profit status.
Why does this matter?
Healthcare must focus first on best care, not highest profit. That does not mean for-profits automatically give bad care. Sometimes for-profits outperform non-profits and too many non-profit hospitals are over-focused on money.
But hospice seems different. Data from a large Rand Corporation study proved that non-profit hospice care is better. Is that because non-profit hospices have kept their motives closer to mission?
Yes. The larger issue is motive. Organizations with cultures of loving care attract the best caregivers and give the best care.
The board of "Alive" faces a big challenge: To pick a new CEO whose motives align with mission first, not money. To succeed, they must first model their own mission.
-Erie Chapman
