The Arkansas State Medical Board has revoked the license of gastroenterologist Alonzo Williams, MD, following accusations of sexual harassment and improper prescription practices, among other allegations, the Arkansas Advocate reported Aug. 10. 

Cardiology is the fastest-growing ASC specialty and has drawn significant attention from private equity groups and other investors in recent years. 

The vertical integration of physician groups and health systems is pushing colonoscopies to be performed in hospital outpatient departments over ASCs, ultimately driving Medicare and patient out-of-pocket costs up, according to a study published July 25 in Science Direct. 

Stolen data from New York City-based ASC Gramercy Surgery Center has been leaked on the dark web following a patient data breach, according to an Aug. 10 report from DataBreaches.net. 

SAAK Health held a July 31 ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new ASC in Brookfield, Wis., according to an Aug. 12 news release. The ceremony was hosted by the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.

Atlanta-based practice group Georgia Urology broke ground on an ASC and medical office building campus in Fayetteville, Ga.

An ASC is on track to open in Jamestown, Wis., later this year, according to an Aug. 10 report from the Telegraph Herald.

Mississippi  presents the highest risk in the U.S. for patients undergoing eye surgery, according to research by eye health provider Overnight Glasses. Overnight analyzed  the number of adverse eye surgery reports by state, the number of complication-related searches, average prices for surgery, the number of optometrists, vision problems per capita and the average cost of healthcare.

Bloomington, Ind.-based Keplr Vision will cut back 100 members of its workforce, according to an Aug. 6 report from 25 News Now.

A physician in Tulsa, Okla., agreed to pay $619,994 to settle false claims allegations 

Surgeons at Asante Ashland (Ore.) Community Hospital have expressed concerns over the hospital's future due to a lack of practitioners, including anesthesia providers, in the area, according to an Aug. 8 report from Ashland News.

On July 15, Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine performed its second-ever awake kidney transplant. The patient was a 74-year-old man, who left the hospital after 36 hours. 

From her time as California's attorney general, Vice President Kamala Harris became known for her stance against healthcare consolidation. Hospitals, physician groups and payers looking to merge could face an uphill battle if she wins the presidential election in November. 

United Surgical Partners International, AmSurg and SCA Health are the largest ASC chains in the U.S.

The independent healthcare market has become increasingly cutthroat amid declining reimbursements, rising costs and increasing consolidation industrywide — making it significantly more difficult for private practice physicians to stay afloat.

Here are 8 lawsuits involving kickback allegations cases since July 17 as reported by Becker's: 

Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health facilities are now offering a minimally invasive vascular procedure to treat high blood pressure.

An anesthesia provider and its malpractice insurer have paid $4.2 million in a settlement with the family of a patient who died undergoing a procedure at an ASC, Law.com reported Aug. 8. 

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's health plans in Ohio, Missouri, Connecticut, New York, Nevada, and Maine will reduce QZ services performed by certified registered nurse anesthetists to 85% of the physician fee schedule beginning Nov. 1. 

ASCs are consolidating, albeit at a slower rate than physician groups or hospitals, and some leaders are looking for different solutions that don't involve rescinding independence.