While some boards have recoiled at the optics of paying incentives to healthcare executives if workers aren't getting raises, boards have done the right thing by saying, “‘We need to make money and we don't want to pay compensation out of red ink. If we have improved access and we have improved quality... [that] should be recognized,’” said Alexander Yaffe, managing director.

“Succession planning is no longer just an annual discussion,” said Peter Thies, managing director. “Directors are more and more attuned to the need for active, ongoing succession planning—not just to address an immediate situation, but also the medium and longer-term transition scenarios.”

“Companies already should have been disclosing any changes made to compensation plans in response to proxy advisors’ concerns in public filings, but the new ISS policy about disclosure in a public filing before ISS will issue a proxy alert to update its analysis is a new specificity,” said Deb Lifshey, managing director.