Hospital executives' pay beginning to raise eyebrows.

The average base salary for hospital chief executive officers rose 9.7% this year to $150,800, according to a survey conducted by Hay Management Consultants and Modern Healthcare. That's down from the 10.9% increase last year, but is still considered high. As hospital executives' pay continues to rise, board members, community leaders and the local press are beginning to ask whether hospitals are getting their money's worth.