Commentary “This I Believe…”

Two Thoughts and a Proposal

Dr. Dennis Slater,
President of The William W. Backus Hospital Medical Staff, 2017

Corporate medicine is not and should not be a democracy.

Rather, it should be an enlightened dictatorship with a heavy dose of lower level democratic participation.
Democratic participation in turn places two demands on the governed: participating in the electoral process - vetting
and endorsing administrative leaders with clinical oversight - and participating in the legislative process to execute
programs and policy successfully. Corporate medicine, as opposed to local hospitals with local leadership, must be
particularly sensitive to this issue. Otherwise the critical link between physicians and administration will be perpetually
strained.

A strong and engaged medical staff is critical to a successful hospital.

Likewise, a strong middle class is essential to the vitality and survival of our democratic system. I believe that the
greatest threats to our democracy are the widening disparity in wealth, the shrinking middle class, and the vanishing
American dream. There exists only four ways to redistribute wealth in our society, all somewhat contrary to our
nati nal efinin spirit ru e in ivi ualism a ra uate inc me ta , ta pa er supp rt pu lic e ucati n,
taxpayer support of welfare programs, and taxpayer support of healthcare. A graduated income tax is inherently
unfair but sensible, if modest. Support of welfare should be limited to those unable to help themselves. But support
r e ucati n an ealt care are i erent ese are investments in ur m st imp rtant nati nal res urce urselves
Exactly how we spend taxes to achieve these goals is worthy of honest debate; but I believe that healthcare, like
education, should be an inherent right of citizenship.

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The William W. Backus Hospital has been a nonprofit hospital in Norwich, Connecticut since
1893, proudly serving the healthcare needs of Norwich and the surrounding communities of
eastern Connecticut. The Hospital is dedicated to the highest standards of ethics, a talented and
multicultural professional staff, cutting-edge technologies, and transparency in its business affairs.
Dedication to these principles will assure delivery of the finest healthcare to our communities.

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T HE O P E N J O UR NAL • F AL L 2017 - 25 -