Bill S.25, introduced by Senators Vyhovsky, Clarkson, Gulick, Hardy, Perchlik, Watson, and White, 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 hospital budget review process. The bill mandates that hospitals report the number of administrative employees compared to those delivering direct patient care, as well as the base salaries and total compensation for both executive and clinical leadership and the lowest-paid healthcare employees. Additionally, the Board is tasked with ensuring 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 workers.

The bill amends existing statutes, specifically 18 V.S.A. § 9454 and § 9456, to incorporate these new requirements. Key provisions include the deletion of certain existing language and the insertion of new mandates regarding staffing ratios and compensation limits. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply to hospital budgets for fiscal years 2027 and beyond, thereby establishing a framework for evaluating hospital budgets that prioritizes equitable compensation and efficient staffing practices.

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