Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for June 11, 2015.
1. N.J. legislation introduced to regulate ASC ownership
New legislation has been introduced in New Jersey to limit ambulatory surgery center ownership in the state. The legislation would require all new ASCs in the state to be owned by New Jersey hospitals or medical schools. Recently, the state Department of Health approved a number of ASCs with out-of-state owners. The new legislation, S-2876/A-4476, would no longer allow this.
2. Florida House committee adopts 23-hour ASC stay legislation
The Florida House Health & Human Services Committee adopted legislation that allows ambulatory surgery centers in the state to provide 23-hour stays for same-day surgical procedures. The legislation — HB 23A — would extend recuperation time for patients after outpatient surgery. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
3. Franklin Square provides $52.5M to National Surgical Healthcare
National Surgical Healthcare's acquisition of a majority interest in Optim Healthcare, a physician-led provider of general and specialty healthcare services, is supported by the financing, which was provided by FS Investment Corporation, FS Investment Corporation II and FS Investment Corporation III.
4. Healthcare spending growth expected to slip in 2016
Medical inflation is expected to drop to 6.5 percent in 2016. The Cadillac tax the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act places on high-priced plans, shifting costs from employers to employees, is expected to drive down the growth of medical costs. Also, The growing threat of cyberattacks is forcing healthcare providers to invest more in cybersecurity, adding another layer of cost to healthcare's overall price tag. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
5. Discovery on how bacteria survive antibiotics
Researchers recently uncovered how bacteria can withstand antibiotic treatment. Jan Michiels of KU Leuven, co-senior study author, stated their findings suggest the combination of antibiotic treatment and therapy targeting the novel persistence pathway would be most beneficial for patients. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
6. U.S. Sen. Dr. Bill Cassidy proposes PPACA replacement
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, MD, has introduced his proposed replacement to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The replacement — Cassidy's Patient Freedom Act —would make it illegal for the government to provide subsidies to low- and middle-income people to help them buy insurance through the federal exchanges in states that did not step up a federal exchange. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
7. HCA Midwest Health to open Kansas City surgery center in new location
HCA Midwest Health, based in Kansas City, Mo., will open its SurgiCenter of Kansas City in a larger location on June 23. The surgery center move was motivated by a desire to add more physicians and specialties. The new center's operating rooms are larger.