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 to include specific reporting requirements and considerations during budget reviews. It removes certain outdated provisions while adding new sections that emphasize the importance of workforce development and equitable compensation practices. 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 improved oversight of hospital financial practices and employee compensation structures.

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