Ethics & Compliance

Corporate Accountability

Consorta is dedicated to the highest standard of business ethics and acting with integrity in all aspects of business. In order to accomplish this, Consorta has developed the following principles and guidelines. These guidelines also serve to help Consorta fulfill its vision and mission, remain consistent with the mission of its shareholders and support the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services. Central to these guidelines is the commitment to build healthier communities with particular attention to meeting the needs of the poor and underserved.

The principles and guidelines provide a framework for conducting business, evaluating opportunities and monitoring outcomes. As Consorta evolves, the need for other instructive guidelines will likely emerge and their development will occur in an open and participative process involving shareholders, their respective stakeholders, Consorta staff and business partners.

Consorta realizes that its mission to develop agreements, which provide goods and services to our shareholders in a cost-effective manner, must always be balanced with a commitment to uphold these principles and guidelines. Decisions will need to be considered using the framework established.

This Corporate Accountability Principles and Guidelines Statement has been adopted by Consorta’s Board of Directors. This policy and its implementation will be reviewed annually. The principles and guidelines are intended for Consorta staff, committees, business partners and other stakeholders.

Principles

Justice- Consorta will exercise fairness and equity in its dealings both external and internal.

Prevention of Harm - Consorta's business will be managed and operated in a manner that respects the environment and ensures safety and well being.

Integrity - Decisions will be made in an honest and truthful manner.

Stewardship of Resources - Consorta will be responsible stewards of both our financial and human resources, and those of our shareholders.

Guidelines

The supporting guidelines are meant to be a framework in which Consorta's business will be conducted. Their intent is to aid Consorta in its daily business activities. The following guidelines apply to all Consorta staff and will be part of the general training and education of the personnel Consorta hires.

Standards of Conduct

Consorta’s primary obligation is to provide superior products and services to its shareholders, participants and the communities they serve. Consorta also recognizes its responsibility to its business partners. In order to support our mission of developing quality programs that provide value to our shareholders in a responsible and ethical manner, Consorta has developed the following Standards of Conduct.

Consorta wishes to promote the highest levels of professional and ethical conduct in our business dealings. These standards provide guidance in resolving issues that may arise in the course of doing business. In addition, policies have been established to ensure adherence to these Standards of Conduct.

Consorta will:

Provide superior levels of customer service to our shareholders, participants and business partners.
Create a work place that fosters respect for the individual and their dignity.
Recognize that it is subject to various state and federal laws and regulations, which involve many regulatory authorities and agencies. Consorta will abide by these laws and regulations.
Act in a lawful and ethical manner in all business activities. Support the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services.
Promote business relationships based on trust and respect.
Not gain, or seek to gain any advantage through the improper use of business courtesies or other inducement. Act as the central point for all communications related to all aspects of Consorta agreements.
Provide a forum for business partners to discuss areas of concern regarding the negotiation and implementation process, as it applies to Consorta contracts.
Disclose fully to appropriate management any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Seek to act in support of products and services that are not harmful to the environment, as outlined in Consorta’s Environmental Responsibility Guidelines.

In addition to meeting all of their contractual obligations, Consorta expects that its business partners will have corporate practices that are ethically responsible, and will be consistent with Consorta’s standards.

Consorta’s business partners will:

Furnish quality products that meet all regulatory standards, and generally accepted standards of care.
Provide superior customer service to both Consorta shareholders and their
participating facilities.
Comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations in conducting all aspects of business.
Not engage in any activity intended to defraud any organization of money, property or services.
Not earn a disproportionate share of revenue through the production and/or sale of tobacco or alcohol products.
Not publish or sell pornographic material.
Not conduct business activities that contribute to the violation of human rights.
Comply with all applicable antitrust and other laws, which regulate competition.
Accurately report payments to appropriate taxing authorities and file all tax returns in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
Disclose fully to appropriate management any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
Act in an environmentally responsible manner when manufacturing and distributing products.
Not distribute information regarding proposals to Consorta or Consorta agreements without Consorta’s prior approval.

In the spirit of good business partner relationships, Consorta and each of its business partners will make every effort to support and implement their Consorta agreement(s). In this spirit, Consorta expects that its business partners will honor the entire Consorta contract portfolio by respecting the awards made to other Consorta business partners.

Environmental Responsibility Guidelines

Consorta and its shareholders are committed to managing and operating its collective businesses in a manner that respects the environment and conserves natural resources. Consorta recognizes the need for our shareholders to meet their environmental goals through conservation, reduction, reuse and recycling programs.

As part of Consorta’s environmental responsibility, we will evaluate, on an ongoing basis, products that are known to be harmful and take appropriate action. Consorta will actively seek disclosure from manufacturers regarding the content of their contracted product lines. The following guidelines have been developed to describe Consorta’s efforts to promote healthier communities and support its shareholders’ environmental initiatives.

Consorta supports:

Efforts to minimize environmental damage to the air, water and earth.

The use of renewable natural resources through efficient use and careful planning.

Reduction of waste, where possible, through product and packaging recycling.

Conservation of energy and the improvement of energy efficiency.

Whenever possible, Consorta’s contracting initiatives will favorably consider those manufacturers that support these environmental principles. To this end, Consorta will determine if products for which it is contracting contain substances that are determined to be harmful to the environment, our shareholders’ and participants’ patients, as well as their staff, as part of our Request For Proposal (RFP) process. The purchase of products that are environmentally harmful will be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

Consorta will not purchase products from companies that have a demonstrated record of environmental violations. A list of products determined to be harmful will be maintained by Consorta, and revised from time to time as necessary.

Consorta will review any potential environmental issues as part of the contract review process that is conducted with the Contracts and Programs Committee.