The GMCB set a target increase in net patient revenue of 3.75 percent for FY 2013, and the 5.1 percent includes certain exemptions. For example, the GMCB approved hospital budget exemptions for the increase in Vermont’s Medicaid provider tax, costs involved with physician practice acquisition and physician recruitment, and healthcare reform investments.
Even after accounting for all exemptions, three hospitals exceeded the 3.75 percent target — Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, Copley Hospital in Morrisville and Porter Medical Center in Middlebury. GMCB gave a pass to Grace Cottage, which surpassed the limit by $45,000, while the other two hospitals were told to resubmit their budgets for exceeding the limit by too much.
GMCB Chair Anya Rader Wallack said the hospital budgets promote investment in Vermont’s healthcare system and help contain some costs, but “they do not yet reflect a sustainable path,” according to the news release.
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