Becker's reported on about 30 physician practice and ASC closures in 2024. Here are some of the top reasons that facilities shut their doors in the last year: 

Beginning Jan. 1, nine states across the nation cut income taxes for residents, according to a Jan. 1 report from CBS News.

Effective Jan. 1, Pennsylvania will set limits to noncompete agreements in physicians' contracts for the first time, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Dec. 31. 

Becker's has reported on six hospitals or health systems shuttering services in the last month:

Two physicians recently sued Hay, Kan.-based HaysMed, alleging issues in the noncompete clauses of their employment contracts. 

Becker's reported on three hospital closures in December, which could shift how ASCs in these markets operate. 

An Arkansas-based drug wholesaler will pay $1.5 million to settle allegations it violated the kickback laws through a scheme where it submitted fraudulent bills to federal workers compensation programs for pain creams. 

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of hospital and health system layoffs that took place or were announced in 2024, as reported by Becker's:

Amazon Medical has been sued by the family of a late California man, who allegedly died after a virtual healthcare visit with the company. 

Tenet's United Surgical Partners International and Optum's SCA Health are the two largest ASC chains by number of centers. 

Here are 10 major ASC lawsuits Becker's reported on in 2024 that shook the industry:

Raleigh-based University of North Carolina Health Rex is facing a lawsuit from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accusing the provider of failing to accommodate an employee's religious beliefs and firing her for failing to get vaccinated for COVID-19, ABC11 reported Dec. 26. 

CMS recently released its 2025 physician payment rule, which included a 2.83% cut to physician payments, marking the fifth consecutive year of cuts. 

Two physicians and two medical practices in California, working together under one operation, have agreed to pay $10 million to resolve kickback and false claims allegations. 

Walmart, CVS and Walgreens faced major headwinds in 2024 as their efforts to push into primary care faltered. 

Certificate-of-need laws, which regulate the development of healthcare facilities, have been the subject of controversy in some states where healthcare leaders and legislators view them as stifling competition in the healthcare sector. 

An Elevance-backed healthcare company based in Puerto Rico — MMM Holdings — has agreed to pay more than $15 million to resolve allegations that it violated kickback laws through a gift card incentive program intended to induce Medicare enrollments.

Becker's has reported on three physician fraud cases since Dec. 16. 

From gold card programs to reimbursement cuts, physicians across several specialties have clashed with payers over 2024 due to major policy changes. 

Here is a state-by-state breakdown of seven ASC closures Becker's reported on in 2024: