The bill S.25, introduced by Senators Vyhovsky and others, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in hospital operations by requiring hospitals to provide detailed information regarding employee compensation and administrative staffing ratios to the Green Mountain Care Board during the budget review process. Specifically, hospitals will need to report the number of administrative employees compared to those delivering direct patient care, as well as the base salaries and total compensation for their executive and clinical leadership. The bill also mandates that the ratio of administrative staff to healthcare providers aligns with national averages and that executive compensation does not exceed ten times that of the lowest-paid healthcare employees.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to include new requirements for the Board's budget review process, such as considering the salaries of hospital leadership in relation to their lowest-paid employees and ensuring that administrative staffing ratios meet industry standards. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to hospital budgets for fiscal years 2027 and beyond. This legislative effort seeks to promote fair compensation practices and efficient staffing in Vermont's hospitals, ultimately aiming to improve healthcare delivery and equity.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-9454, 18-9456