The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department are seeking the public's help as they scrutinize anticompetitive behavior as part of a larger effort to review and refine merger guidelines.

Physician practices are selling to hospitals and corporate entities at an accelerated rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharp HealthCare has acquired a majority interest in the physician-owned Coast Surgery Center in San Diego, Calif., San Diego Metro reported Jan. 17.  

Columbus (Neb.) Community Hospital hosted an open house following the renovations of its recently acquired ASC, The Columbus Telegram reported Jan. 15. 

The medical group transactions market heated up at the end of last year, more than doubling the number of fourth quarter deals from the previous year.

Hartford, Conn.-based Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center filed a lawsuit Jan. 11 that alleges Hartford HealthCare used anticompetitive tactics to acquire physician practices.

Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, a Tenet Healthcare company, aims to add more than 160 ASCs to its portfolio in the next three years.

Surgery Partners made three big acquisitions during the last two weeks of December, the company reported Jan. 10.

Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital acquired full ownership of Tower Radiology, one of the region's largest physician-owned radiology practices.

Hamilton, N.J.-based Campus Eye Group and Levittown, Pa.-based Total Eye Care have inked a deal with Beekman Investment Partners to accelerate growth, the private equity firm said Jan. 6. 

HCA Healthcare acquired MD Now Urgent Care, Florida's largest provider of urgent care services, from Los Angeles-based private equity investment firm Brentwood Associates. 

Chicago-based Stage Equity Partners sold the TLC Medical Arts Building in Lady Lake, Fla., which houses an ASC.

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare wrapped up 2021 by completing its acquisition of MD Now Urgent Care, Florida's largest network of urgent care centers, expanding its reach into the booming outpatient and primary care sectors.

Irvine, Calif.-based private equity firm IRA Capital acquired the real estate housing Christus Surgical Hospital in Alexandria, La.

A medical building housing the Digestive Health Center of Allen (Texas) was acquired by real estate company Montecito Medical. 

A roundup of ASC purchases that made news last month:

Cleveland-based medical real estate investor Provider Real Estate Partners acquired a Georgia urology ASC as part of a $50 million portfolio acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2021.

ENT Carolina has joined Sandy Springs, Ga.-based Southern Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy Physicians, a private-equity-backed otolaryngology group.

An ophthalmology clinic and ASC in Bristol, Tenn., has been acquired by outpatient healthcare real estate investment company Flagship Healthcare Trust. 

The building housing Henry Surgery Center in McDonough, Ga., has sold for $13 million to Remedy Investments.