From a free ophthalmology clinic to a new ASC renovation, here are five California updates Becker's has reported on since Oct. 6: 

Sixteen percent of physicians have deferred or refinanced loans to reduce their big expenses, according to Medscape's 2022 "Physician Wealth & Debt Report."

Medscape's 2022 "Self-Employed Physicians Report" lays out the pros and cons of being a self-employed physician. 

A number of physicians and clinicians were running for office in the Nov. 8 midterm elections this year. Five won their races or are predicted to as ballots continue to be counted nationwide. 

The Westfield (Ind.) City Council approved a tax abatement on the development of a 60,000-square-foot medical office building, according to a Nov. 6 report from local news site Current.

The Los Angeles City Council granted approval for the construction of a 12-story, 145,000-square-foot medical office building in the city on Oct. 28.

Pharmaceutical giants AbbVie and Bristol Myers Squibb both laid off 100 or more employees in September. Forbes named five healthcare companies with some of the biggest layoffs in the third quarter: 

Thirty-six U.S. states and Washington, D.C., require certificates of need for the approval of new healthcare projects and expenditures. 

While the number of physicians in private practice has dropped to 26 percent as more physicians are employed by the corporate sector, there are still physicians who enjoy the autonomy of private practice, according to a report from the American College of Surgeons.

Forty-five Florida ASCs were named on Newsweek's list of the 510 best ASCs for 2023, making it the state with the third most ASCs on the list, following California and Texas. 

Sixty-four percent of self-employed physicians said autonomy is what they like most about their jobs, according to Medscape's 2022 "Self-Employed Physicians Report." 

Fifty ASCs in Texas made Newsweek's "America's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers," which ranks 510 of the more than 5,000 Medicare-certified ASCs in the country.

Managing staff is the thing that self-employed physicians dislike the most about their jobs, according to Medscape's 2022 "Self-Employed Physicians Report." 

Over half of self-employed physicians are satisfied with their income, according to Medcape's 2022 "Self-Employed Physicians Report." 

Here are three acquisitions and partnerships involving ASCs that Becker's has reported on since Oct. 4:

Thomas Keller, MD, was convicted on four counts for distribution of controlled substances out of his Santa Rosa, Calif.-based pain management practice, the Northern District of California U.S. Attorney's office said Nov. 4. 

With 93 percent of physicians believing telehealth is an advantage for patient care, there are four key attributes that matter most to physicians according to a Nov. 7 report from the American Medical Association.

In 2022, internal medicine was the top specialty chosen by medical students, according to Medscape's "Medical Student Lifestyle" report. 

Former pain management physician John Keun Sang Lee, MD, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud associated with his Venetia, Pa.-based pain management practice, the U.S. Justice Department said Nov. 4. 

One of the largest concerns ASC leaders are facing right now is a lack of staffing going into the next calendar year. According to a report from VMG Health, many ASCs have to spend a quarter or more of their net operating revenue on employees to stay ahead of shortages.