Voice, CHIME and Democracy

Sometimes news keeps us up at night. All around the world, people are witnessing and experiencing political and cultural events that are limiting many people’s ability to speak and act freely. In many of these instances, this is resulting in the disappearance of voices. Without free voices, there is no democracy.

Dr. Shafiq Rab, 2019 CHIME Board Chair, makes this point eloquently in this week’s 30^thAnniversary podcast.

“We live in a democracy,” he says, “and so we have to talk it out.”

Dr. Rab reminds us that as we cherish the many ways CHIME brings voices together, we are only able to do so because we live in a place where our voices can still be heard. We have the gift of public debate and individual expression—our safeguard against those who will never stop trying to stamp out the voices of others. Our voices still matter.

Empowering voices for a better future

CHIME is working every day to bring out voices, as our members come together to collect expert opinions and amplify important perspectives. The significance of those voices ripples far beyond our daily tasks. We don’t work in a bubble—we are deeply connected to each other, and through each other, to millions and millions of people whom we serve, and to the future of this whole precious planet that needs our help. We work in healthcare, a field central to the quality of human life and dedicated to the alleviation of suffering. Our voices are crucial to what will become of our society and our people.

One of our best-known collective voices, CHIME’s Public Policy Steering Committee, has greatly influenced federal policy on a host of issues. If you talk to any of our volunteers or staff who serve in that effort, you will soon realize that people’s lives and the survival of our health infrastructure rests on those federal policy decisions. Our Opioid Task Force brings together brilliant voices from the front lines of the fight against the opioid crisis—their work is saving families from tragedy. The CHIME DEI Committee empowers all voices in the workplace, so that respect, inclusion, and opportunity will rise for everyone. 

Sharing hope, passion and vision at CHIME

So many CHIME members are striving to solve vital problems, sometimes in small, incremental ways, sometimes in sweeping innovations or reforms. It is so refreshing to meet real, authentic, mission-driven people in a world that can often be distracted with hype, PR and surfaces. We aren’t perfect, but among our provider members and our Foundation members, there is a palpable commitment to making a difference that comes out in our assembled voices. And when those voices reach a consensus, they have a major impact.

CHIME is a space where we change outcomes. And that gives us hope. In our dark-of-the-night moments, we can be comforted by thoughts of the good people who are going out to their work every day, committed to the power of the voice to shape our future and help others. That knowledge can invigorate us, as we celebrate 30 years of work that changes the world. If you’re not part of CHIME yet, we hope you will bring your own voice here and find the inspiration and collaboration that is waiting for you.

Next week’s Theme is INCLUSION.  Submit your blog post, story, or article today! Email submissions to Katie at [email protected].