Here are seven ASC acquisitions and partnerships announced in November 2018:  By Angie Stewart - 12/5/18

Estero, Fla.-based Lee Health Coconut Point opened a 163,500-square-foot outpatient center featuring what is believed to be the first freestanding emergency department in Lee County, Fla., Business Observer reports.  By Eric Oliver - 12/5/18

The Houston City Council approved a community improvement district to fund Houston, Mo.-based Texas County Memorial Hospital's proposed on-campus surgery center, the Houston Herald reports.  By Eric Oliver - 12/4/18

Baltimore-based MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center took the first step on its new $70 million outpatient surgical pavilion, breaking ground Dec. 3, the Baltimore Sun reports.  By Eric Oliver - 12/4/18

The Trump administration released a proposal centered on offering quality healthcare at affordable prices, suggesting changes to certificate-of-need laws to promote choice and increase competition.  By Eric Oliver - 12/4/18

The Trump administration released a lengthy document examining the healthcare industry and making recommendations for changes going forward.  By Laura Dyrda - 12/4/18

Here are nine updates on ASC companies and industry-relevant companies to note:  By Eric Oliver - 12/4/18

Manchester VA Medical Center will break ground on a new outpatient clinic in Somersworth, N.H., Dec. 3, The News Tribune reports.  By Eric Oliver - 12/3/18

Torrington, Conn.-based Charlotte Hungerford Hospital acquired the private practice of Bruce Janelli, MD, after he announced his retirement, The Register Citizen reports.  By Eric Oliver - 12/3/18

Sidney, Ohio-based Wilson Health plans to expand its outpatient care and surgical capacity through a joint venture with Piqua, Ohio-based Valley Regional Surgery Center.  By Angie Stewart - 12/3/18

El Paso (Texas) Specialty Hospital, a physician-owned facility, will close at the end of the year for financial and operational reasons, according to a KFOXTV report.  By Laura Dyrda - 12/3/18

During UnitedHealthcare's third quarter 2018 earnings conference call, CEO of UnitedHealth Group David Wichmann and CEO of OptumHealth Andrew Hayek discussed the progress of OptumCare and where the business segment is headed in the future. Surgical Care Affiliates is a business segment of OptumCare.  By Laura Dyrda - 12/3/18

Philadelphia-based Vantage EyeCare added three physician groups to its roster of divisions.  By Angie Stewart - 11/29/18

Construction on Sterling, Va.-based Loudoun Center for Oral Surgery is about six weeks away from completion, according to Jason Bae, DDS, MD.  By Angie Stewart - 11/29/18

Hornell, N.Y.-based St. James Hospital will soon open its $21 million medical office building development, The Steuben Courier Advocate reports.  By Eric Oliver - 11/29/18

Montecito Medical acquired three medical office buildings and a medical office condominium in the Richmond, Va., area.  By Eric Oliver - 11/29/18

Fleming Island, Fla.-based Baptist Clay Medical Center will open its surgery center in Fleming Island Dec. 4, News4Jax reports.  By Eric Oliver - 11/28/18

Columbus-based The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center broke ground on its $26 million outpatient surgery unit and imaging suite at East Hospital in Columbus, Fox28 reports.  By Eric Oliver - 11/28/18

Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group is acquiring Seattle-based Polyclinic to boost its primary and specialty care offerings in the Seattle area, the Minnesota StarTribune reports.  By Eric Oliver - 11/28/18

Work is progressing on Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health's $800 million "transformative" Vision Northland project, BusinessNorth reports.  By Eric Oliver - 11/27/18