The Power of What If…
Dear Friends:
Earlier this week I represented #TeamPossible in two important conversations. At each, I had the privilege of highlighting the importance of creating conditions for every person in Georgia to have what they need to live their healthiest life.
Both conversations provided a unique opportunity to dialogue with partners, reflecting the Initiative’s role as a bridge builder across industries, sectors, communities, and regions. As one of their newest Board Members, I was invited by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to speak on the Health and Well-Being for Our Communities panel at their Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit this past Wednesday. The following morning, I continued conversations with colleagues from across the state as together we serve on Georgia’s Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission (CHCC).
In reflecting back on what were two different conversations in different contexts, the consistent refrain spurring my questions and comments was “What if.”
Georgia is nationally recognized for our economy and our ability to attract new businesses and industries to our state. But what if we took steps to shore up a healthier workforce by improving access to affordable, high-quality health coverage? How would our economic growth multiply with a healthier workforce serving as an infrastructural backbone for business?
By establishing the CHCC, Georgia leaders have taken steps to uncover issues related to access and quality of healthcare for Georgia’s low-income and uninsured populations. As these issues are uncovered and strategies are identified, what if we took bold steps to adopt Georgia-specific solutions to improve coverage, access, and health outcomes for all in our state?
The beauty of what if is that it acknowledges multiple things can be true at the same time. We can recognize the good that exists and also note the gaps that persist. Ignoring either the good or the gaps sets us up for stagnation, competition, and contentiousness rather than collaboration and progress.
What if we challenge ourselves to truly believe that both are true? By posing this powerful question in community with others, what possibilities might open up that we couldn’t see on our own?
In partnership,
Kristy Klein Davis
President