The ministry change imperative. Catholic healthcare providers must translate their assets into action.

Mr. Sexton is senior vice president, Icwm-VHI, Inc., Fairfax, VA. Tins article is adapted fivm an address given October 30, 1995, at the National Convocation of Catholic healthcare leaden, a meeting that launched the New Covenant, an ongoing process to promote coHahmUnc strategies tlmmghout the Catholic health ministry. t this moment, leaders in Catholic healthcare face an urgent need to rally its significant strengths. Environmental forces are dramatically increasing the vulnerability of mission-driven hospitals that serve the poor and elderly. The budget cuts Congress makes to balance the federal budget will hit Medicare and Medicaid hard through the year 2002, drastically reducing these programs' capacity to support hospitals' frequent role as a safety netprovider for people without insurance. Managed care is sweeping the nation as employers respond more aggressively to the steep increases in healthcare costs they have seen throughout the last two decades. These trends will pull significant dollars from acute hospital care, ultimately threatening the cur rent strength and vibrancy of Catholic healthcare. A much different future is entirely possible, however. The Catholic healthcare ministry has a whole series of unique and significant strengths that could lead to expanded presence, enhanced mission influence, and improved access and service for the people you serve.