Author: Francesca Mathewes

From her time as California's attorney general, Vice President Kamala Harris became known for her stance against healthcare consolidation. Hospitals, physician groups and payers looking to merge could face an uphill battle if she wins the presidential election in November. 

United Surgical Partners International, AmSurg and SCA Health are the largest ASC chains in the U.S.

Here are 8 lawsuits involving kickback allegations cases since July 17 as reported by Becker's: 

More than 80% of surgeries are now performed in an outpatient setting, according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.  ASC procedures are almost always less expensive than in hospital outpatient departments. 

Private equity firms have solidified their place in healthcare over the last decade. 2012 saw just 75 PE transactions in healthcare –– in 2021, that number reached 484. 

ASCs throughout the U.S. face skyrocketing operational costs alongside declining reimbursements from payers. 

An Erie, Pa.-woman accused of embezzling over $100,000 from the eye physician she once worked for has waived her criminal case to court, Erie Times-News reported Aug. 8. 

Bloomfield, N.J.-based CHA Partners and its parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings signed a letter of intent to acquire Upland, Pa.-based Crozer Health, a spokesperson for the system confirmed to Becker's. 

John Rex, CEO of UnitedHealth, was named the 10th highest paid CFO in the U.S., according to a report from The CFO Club. As such, he is also the highest-paid CFO in healthcare.

As the shortage of anesthesia providers continues to weigh on healthcare, ASCs are finding new ways to combat the shortage.