The ACA and the health insurance mega mergers dominated the February news cycle.
Here are 30 things that happened in February for ASC leaders to know.
ACA support hits 48%, all-time high since 2010
Support for former President Barack Obama's 2010 ACA totaled 48 percent in February 2017, the highest approval ratings since the law's enactment.
GOP's ACA replacement lowers subsidies, rolls back Medicaid expansion
A draft of U.S. House Republican's potential ACA replacement revealed legislators would eliminate subsidies and roll back Medicaid expansion in their new healthcare law.
Trump delays CMS bundles implementation by 60 days
President Donald Trump pushed back the implementation of CMS' bundled payments models by 60 days. In September 2016, Dr. Price wrote a letter saying Medicare has surpassed its power through mandating bundled payments, which takes decision-making power away from providers and patients.
Palmetto Primary Care Physicians' future ASC plans on hold for now
Nearly three years ago, North Charleston, S.C.-based Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, an outpatient physicians group, filed plans to open a $22.8 million facility featuring an ASC. However, those plans failed to come to fruition as the group removed their certificate-of-need application to affiliate with a partner. A spokesperson said Palmetto Primary Care Physicians will make a decision concerning the surgery center's future plans at a later date.
Orthopedic-driven surgery center inches closer to final approval
Developers are awaiting final approval from the Auburn (N.H.) Planning Board to build the Access Ambulatory Medical in Auburn. The proposed surgery center will mainly offer orthopedic services and various otolaryngology surgeries.
Texas Health Surgery Center reopens, starts offering knee replacements
Cleburne-based Texas Health Surgery Center commemorated its 10-year anniversary with a reopening and open house. Texas Health Surgery Center is adding knee replacements to its repertoire of offerings.
Healthcare data breaches up 40% in 2016
An Identity Theft Resource Center report found healthcare data breaches are up 40 percent in 2016, compared to the year prior. The organization reported there were 376 healthcare breaches last year, compromising 15.9 million patient records.
Trump plans to roll out healthcare plan in March
President Donald Trump said the administration plans to release its healthcare plan next month during a White House News conference.
Aetna Chief Executive calls exchanges 'death spiral' after deal ends with Humana
Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna Chief Executive Mark Bertolini spoke out against the ACA exchanges only one day after Aetna and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana announced they were ending their merger agreement. Mr. Bertolini referred to the exchanges as in a "death spiral." Humana announced it is completely exiting the ACA exchanges in 2018, saying the ACA risk pool did not sufficiently balance the number of healthy Americans purchasing coverage to sicker enrollees. Mr. Bertolini said, "That logic shows just how much the risk pool is deteriorating in the ACA and how poorly structured the funding mechanism and premium model is."
Are more physician-owned hospitals on the horizon? Legislation introduced to lift the ban
The ACA put a moratorium on new physician-owned hospitals. However, new POHs may be on the horizon with the repeal in sight and an administration bent on easing regulations.
Seema Verma dodges ethical questions at confirmation hearing
President Donald Trump's pick to lead CMS Seema Verma offered senators very few specific answers during her Feb. 16, 2017, confirmation hearing.
Patient expectation correlates to physician antibodies prescribing patterns
The American Psychological Association published two studies finding physicians are more prone to prescribe antibiotics if a patient has high expectations.
SC health department denies Medical University of South Carolina's CON application for ASC
The South Carolina health department denied Charleston-based Medical University of South Carolina's certificate-of-need application to build a freestanding ASC. MUSC wanted to build the $12.5 million ASC as part of the health system's larger strategy to expand its presence in the South Carolina area.
Anthem sues Cigna over terminating merger
Indianapolis-based Anthem filed a lawsuit to block Broomfield, Conn.-based Cigna from terminating its proposed $54 billion merger agreement. Cigna filed a suit Feb. 14, 2017, seeking to end the merger agreement and collect up to $14.85 billion in damages and breakup fees.
Aetna, Humana forgo deal following judge's ruling
In a mutual decision, Aetna and Humana opted to end their merger agreement after Judge John Bates of the U.S. District Court ruled in favor of the Department of Justice and blocked the deal. As per the deal's terms, Aetna will pay Humana a $1 billion break-up fee.
Judge orders federal government to pay Moda Health $214M in risk-corridor lawsuit
The U.S. Court of Claims ruled on behalf of Portland, Ore.-based Moda Health, saying the federal government must pay Moda $214 million. In an opinion, Judge Thomas Wheeler said the government agreed to pay Moda millions under the risk-corridor program and therefore "the court directs the government to fulfill that promise. After all, to say to [Moda], 'The joke is on you. You shouldn't have trusted us,' is hardly worthy of our great government."
Allergan's Q4 beats analysts' estimates
Parsippany-Troy Hills, N.J.-based Allergan reported earnings per share of $3.90 for its fourth quarter, beating analysts' estimates of $3.76 EPS. The company's $3.86 billion in revenues for Q4 also exceeded analysts' expectations of $3.77 billion.
Senate confirms Rep. Tom Price as HHS secretary; Party lines remain uncrossed
The Senate confirmed Rep. Tom Price, MD, (R-Ga.), as HHS secretary in a 52-47 vote. Despite winning 52 total votes, not one Democrat voted in favor of Dr. Price. Many Democratic legislators have voiced concern over Dr. Price's alleged trading practices and his opposition to the ACA.
Current antibiotic guidance may be misguided
Providers often tell patients to take the full script of prescribed antibiotics, even if symptoms subside prior to that time. However, many healthcare experts say this methodology is misguided.
350+ organizations voice concern to Trump over vaccination views
More than 350 organizations sent a letter to President Donald Trump regarding their support for vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics organized the effort after concern arose over Trump's "discredited claims about vaccine safety."
Antitrust suit against Takeda revived
The second circuit court in New York reviewed claims that Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals delayed a competitor from releasing a generic version of Actos.
Judge awards Aetna $51.4M in out-of-network billing case against surgical hospital
U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes awarded Aetna $51.4 million in a seven-year court battle against Humble (Texas) Surgical Hospital. In 2012, Aetna sued Humble Surgical Hospital for charging 10-times market rates on out-of-network procedures.
HSS, Stamford Health partner on ASC
New York City-based Hospital for Specialty Surgery and Stamford (Conn.) Health are partnering to expand orthopedic services throughout Connecticut. Through the partnership, HHS will staff Stamford-based Tully Health Center and begin seeing ambulatory surgery patients.
Trump administration wants CMS to leverage buying power to lower prescription drug cost
After varying opinions from President Donald Trump concerning drug prices, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer clarified the administration's position, saying the president is in favor of having Medicare negotiate lower prices for prescription medicine.
From repeal to repair: GOP changes rhetoric surrounding ACA
Questions over the ACA's future have lingered for months, with Republican lawmakers continually saying they will repeal the health law. However, the GOP is changing its stance and saying they plan to repair the law. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) told reporters the GOP will eliminate some provisions and maintain or change others.
GOP remains unified around 1 core healthcare element — Health savings accounts
Despite Republican legislators having their own opinions on an ACA replacement plan, the party remains unified around implementing health savings accounts. Republicans say these accounts allow patients to maintain control over their medical expenses while achieving cost savings for the healthcare system. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told The Hill, "What do you do when you use your own money? You call up doctors and ask the price. ... If you create a real marketplace, you drive prices down."
Medicaid spending totals $575.9B in 2016
HHS released its 2016 Actuarial Report which found Medicare expenditures totaled $575.9 billion in 2016. In 2016, average Medicaid enrollment hit 72.2 million, a 3.1 percent jump. Of this figure, the majority of growth came from newly eligible adults.
Judge Neil Gorsuch is Trump's pick for Supreme Court justice
In a slew of recent orders, President Donald Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch, a federal appeals court judge in Colorado, to fill the Supreme Court position vacated by Justice Antonin Scalia last year. At 49 years old, Judge Gorsuch would be the youngest judge to take a position on the Supreme Court since Judge Clarence Thomas' confirmation more than two decades ago in 1991.
St. Mary's Hospital opens orthopedic-driven ASC
Centralia, Ill.-based St. Mary's Hospital held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its orthopedic surgery center. Craig Beyer, MD, will join the surgery center in an effort to expand medical services in the region.
Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists in Washington offers outpatient joint replacements
Spokane, Wash.-based Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists now offers outpatient joint replacements at The Orthopaedic Surgery Center. The center offers spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, knee and foot care in addition to joint replacements, sports medicine and interventional pain management.