7 things for ASC leaders to know for Thursday

Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center industry leaders to know for Dec. 18, 2014.

New legislation could positively impact ASCs.
The House Committee on Ways and Means has put forth the "Hospital Improvements for Payment Act of 2014," which would allow an ASC representative a position on the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment. The legislation was introduced by Representative Kevin Brady (R-Texas). In addition to giving voice to the ASC industry, the legislation proposes to change Medicare's two-midnight rule, overhaul the Recovery Audit Contracts program and create a new hospital prospective payment system.

Valley ASC performs first outpatient total hip in Illinois.
Valley Ambulatory Surgery in St. Charles, Ill., hosted the first outpatient total hip replacement in the state earlier this month. Shawn Palmer, DO, of Midwest Bone and Joint Institute performed the anterior total hip replacement at the surgery center.

Majority of future physicians plan to avoid private practice.
athenahealth has released the results of its 9th annual Epocrates Future Physicians of American Survey, and America's future physicians say they have neither the desire nor the knowledge to participate in private practice. Just 10 percent planned to join private practice, down from 20 percent in 2008.

42.9M Americans have unpaid medical bills.
A recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report found that 42.9 million Americans have unpaid medical debt. This accounts for nearly 20 percent of consumers with credit records. The average amount of medical debt is $1,766. But, a person who owes more than unpaid medical bills has an average debt of $5,638. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.

Rep. Bill Cassidy elected first gastroenterologist senator.
Bill Cassidy, MD, (R-LA) has become the first gastroenterologist to earn a seat in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Cassidy defeated Sen. Mary Landrieu (D). With this victory, the Senate will have a 54-seat Republican majority.

U.S. anesthesia drug market to reach $3B+ by 2018.
The U.S. anesthesia drugs market is expected to be worth more than $3 billion by 2018, according to a MarketsReportsOnline report. Propofol and Benzodiazepines Class (Diazepam and Midazolam) are the top contributors to intravenous anesthetic drugs

40 stats get 'F' grade for physician quality information.
The Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute flunked 40 states and Washington, D.C., and gave four states a "D" in providing objective, publically accessible information on physician quality. Read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.

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