The Green Mountain Care Board has appointed the former head of Vermont’s Agency of Human Services, Mike Smith, to serve as an independent liaison to Burlington-based University of Vermont Health Network, the Burlington Free Press reported April 17.
Four things to know:
1. Mr. Smith will review and give his opinion on the health system’s budget and management decisions, according to the report. He will also lead a work group that will direct and oversee independent third-party efforts to evaluate and reform the health system’s operations. He serve in the role for at least 16 months and is permitted to hire two additional staff members to assist his efforts.
2. Mr. Smith’s appointment is part of an April 4 settlement between the board and UVHN that ended a budget dispute between the regulator and the health system, according to the report.
3. The settlement requires UVHN to spend up to $15 million on consultants to assess how the hospital network is being run and make any corrections, the news outlet reported April 4. The system will also reform its executive compensation. Bonuses for senior executives will be tied to performance in key areas beginning in fiscal 2026. UVHN will also invest $11 million in nonhospital primary care services in 2026 and pay Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont $12 million to resolve overpayment disputes.
4. Mr. Smith twice served as Vermont’s secretary of Human Services, according to his LinkedIn page. He first served from January 2005 to January 2006 and again from October 2019 to January 2022.
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