Vermont hospitals largely plan to break even or lose money to keep prices in check

Vermont hospitals are responding to months of dire warnings about a health care affordability crisis in the state by proposing more modest budget proposals than in previous years.

Hospitals presented plans for the 2026 fiscal year, starting in October, to state regulators at the Green Mountain Care Board this month as part of an annual review process. Most proposed raising the prices they charge commercial insurance companies by less than 3% from last year.

It’s a big departure from recent years, when many of the state’s hospitals requested commercial rate increases of nearly double that amount, or more. Vermont has among the most expensive health insurance premiums in the country, driven in part by disproportionately high hospital prices. This year’s budget process is an attempt to